Chiefs add 14 to practice squad | KCSN Daily 8.31
Chiefs roster news, practice squad additions and more following 53-man cuts
Welcome back to the latest issue of KCSN Daily, where we deliver the best Kansas City Chiefs content directly to your inbox.
The Chiefs assembled their initial 53-man roster on Tuesday, but on Wednesday, they began to sign players to their practice squad. This came after the NFL’s waiver claim deadline passed at 11:00 a.m. CT today. The team didn’t make any waiver claims, which wasn’t terribly surprising given that they were 30th in priority on the waiver wire.
The NFL practice squad has changed a bit over the years. It’s now comprised of 16 players when it was 10 players just a few years ago. Six of those players can have an unlimited number of accrued seasons while 10 of those players must have no more than two accrued NFL seasons. Two players can be elevated to the active roster per week on game-day as a standard elevation. Up to four players can be protected on the practice squad per week too.
“You have these young guys that you want to continue to grow and develop, but if you have an injury early on in the season you have to make a roster move,” Chiefs GM Brett Veach said of the practice squad on Wednesday. “(The changes) allow you better insurance to protect those young players, while at the same time, having additional space allows you to utilize older players in a pinch if you need. I think it’s a good blend. It helps (the team) stay healthier and it allows players who are hurt to do the rehab the right way and not rush to get back on the field. From an injury protection standpoint and from a youth protection standpoint it has been a blessing to have.”
The practice squad isn’t just a tool that NFL teams use to develop players or in case of injury. Teams look for players with unique skill sets who can help their team get better during the season via their participation on the scout team. Someone like QB Chris Oladokun — who is the lone player who wasn’t on the offseason roster that the team signed to the practice squad — could play a pivotal role in getting the Chiefs prepared for Week 1. As a dual-threat passer, the team could ask him to emulate Cardinals QB Kyler Murray in practice.
Kansas City Chiefs’ 14 practice squad additions:
S Zayne Anderson
G Mike Caliendo
LB Jack Cochrane
RB/WR Jerrion Ealy
WR Daurice Fountain
TE Jordan Franks
S Nazeeh Johnson
DE Azur Kamara
LB Elijah Lee
QB Chris Oladokun
WR Cornell Powell
C Austin Reiter
DT Danny Shelton
DT Taylor Stallworth
Outside The Trenches:
Join BJ Kissel, Nick Leckey, and Tucker Franklin as they discuss the biggest threat to the Chiefs in the AFC West and more on the latest Outside The Trenches.
Other Transactions:
8/31 - Injured reserve - TE Matt Bushman (from waived-injured)
8/31 - Claimed on waivers by Falcons - DT Matt Dickerson
One On One:
Want to hear an NFL player’s perspective on 53-man roster cuts? Listen to former Chiefs DT Mike DeVito and OL Jeff Allen below in the latest episode of One On One.
Quick Hits:
From the Chiefs: The team is hosting a tribute to late HOF QB Len Dawson at Arrowhead Stadium’s Hall of Honor on Thursday, Sept. 1 from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The event is open to the public. You can find out more here.
More from the Chiefs: Speaking of the Hall of Honor, the team shared this cool photo of QB Patrick Mahomes.
From the Kansas City Pioneers: It looks like a new member of the Chiefs might be joining teammates Andrew Wylie and Mecole Hardman on the Kansas City Pioneers. Stay tuned on that one.
Quotable:
“I think it’s one of those things, I think it’s at the forefront of every GM. I think depth and youth is something that whether you’re a team that has, I mean obviously if you have an older roster, it’s on your mind. But even if you have a younger roster, it’s on your mind. You’re always a few injuries away from having to bring in vets. You’re always a few good seasons from players signing somewhere else. I think the ability to have young talent to grow and develop is at the forefront of every GM and we were no different. I think when looking at our season and getting a chance to kind of review how we can get better, I think the defense was right at the forefront of just again adding youth and talent and athleticism. It was a priority, but I think every year it’s kind of that same mindset of just kind of getting younger and faster and more athletic.” - Chiefs GM Brett Veach on the youth of the roster
“We always try to strive and keep the best players on the team, and you know, we have been very fortunate to have Chad Henne here the last few years and he’s been outstanding to have both on the field and in the classroom. And last year, bringing Shane (Buechele) in here, we just continued to see the growth and development in him, and we like that room. There’s a great chemistry with all three of those guys. At the end of the day, we always tell the guys that once we get them here, we like to put the decision in their hands and Shane was one of those guys that played well and earned a spot on this roster.” - Chiefs GM Brett Veach on the decision to keep 3 quarterbacks
Important dates ahead:
Sunday, Sept. 11 - Week 1: Chiefs @ Cardinals - State Farm Stadium - Glendale, Arizona
You make a lifetime of difference for a child or teen.
Boys & Girls Clubs is looking for dedicated men and women to invest in the lives of youth through coaching. Did you know by participating in sports, children learn the value of teamwork, responsibility, good sportsmanship, and self-esteem? By becoming a volunteer coach, you are helping to power the dreams—and successful futures—of Kansas City’s kids! The Clubs are currently seeking baseball coaches. Click here to sign up today! All equipment will be provided. No prior coaching experience is needed