KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City Chiefs made significant cuts to their preseason roster on Tuesday in anticipation of their season opener on September 5.
The defending Super Bowl champions parted ways with wide receiver Kadarius Toney, as reported by NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport. Toney had an impactful performance in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVII victory, marked by a receiving touchdown and a record-setting 65-yard punt return. However, his contributions diminished in the 2023 season, and he was not included in the Super Bowl LVIII active roster.
Reports indicate that the Chiefs sought to trade Toney before ultimately deciding to release him. Additionally, wide receiver Justyn Ross was waived after making six catches for 53 yards during the 2023 season. Ross had signed a three-year deal with the Chiefs in May 2022 but did not play that season due to injury.
Running back Louis Rees-Zammit was also released. The rugby player from Gloucester had joined the Chiefs in March through the NFL’s International Player Pathway program.
On Tuesday evening, after the 3 p.m. deadline, the Chiefs announced their complete list of roster moves. Defensive end Charles Omenihu was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform List, ruling him out for at least the first four games of the season due to an ACL tear sustained during the AFC Championship Game in January. Defensive end BJ Thompson remains on the Non-Football Injury List following a cardiac arrest in June.
In total, the Chiefs waived the following players:
– Emani Bailey (RB)
– Swayze Bozeman (LB)
– Baylor Cupp (TE)
– Neil Farrell (DT)
– Chukwuebuka Godrick (T)
– Kamal Hadden (CB)
– Keaontay Ingram (RB)
– Curtis Jacobs (LB)
– Truman Jones (DE)
– Fabien Lovett (DT)
– D.J. Miller (CB)
– Lucas Niang (OT)
– Chris Oladokun (QB)
– Cornell Powell (WR)
– Deneric Prince (RB)
– Louis Rees-Zammit (RB)
– Nikko Remigio (WR)
– Justyn Ross (WR)
– Keith Taylor (CB)
– Kadarius Toney (WR)
– Montrell Washington (WR)
Veteran players released include safety Deon Bush, linebacker Cole Christiansen, defensive tackle Matt Dickerson, tight end Irv Smith, and former Mizzou safety Tyree Gillespie, who was waived with an injury designation.
NFL teams were required to finalize their rosters to 53 players by the Tuesday afternoon deadline.