KANSAS CITY, Mo. – On Tuesday, the Kansas City Chiefs made significant cuts to their preseason roster as they gear up for their season opener on September 5.
Among the notable releases was wide receiver Kadarius Toney, as reported by NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport. The Chiefs chose not to pick up Toney’s fifth-year option during the offseason. He had a key contribution in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVII victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, recording a receiving touchdown and a record-setting 65-yard punt return. However, his performance dwindled in 2023, leading to his absence from the active roster in Super Bowl LVIII.
According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Chiefs attempted to trade Toney before ultimately deciding to release him.
In addition to Toney, wide receiver Justyn Ross was also waived on Tuesday, according to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz. Over the 2023 season, Ross made six catches for 53 yards in six appearances, after signing a three-year, $2.56 million contract with the Chiefs in May 2022. He did not play in 2022 due to injury recovery.
The Chiefs also let go of running back Louis Rees-Zammit, who was a rugby star from Gloucester and joined the team in March through the NFL’s International Player Pathway program.
Later on Tuesday evening, the Chiefs released their full list of roster moves, following the 3 p.m. deadline. Defensive end Charles Omenihu was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform List due to an ACL tear sustained in the AFC Championship Game in January, meaning he will be sidelined for at least the first four games of the 2024 season. Defensive end BJ Thompson remains on the Non-Football Injury List after experiencing cardiac arrest during a team meeting in June.
Overall, the Chiefs waived the following players:
– Running back Emani Bailey
– Linebacker Swayze Bozeman
– Tight end Baylor Cupp
– Defensive tackle Neil Farrell
– Tackle Chukwuebuka Godrick
– Cornerback Kamal Hadden
– Running back Keaontay Ingram
– Linebacker Curtis Jacobs
– Defensive end Truman Jones
– Defensive tackle Fabien Lovett
– Cornerback D.J. Miller
– Offensive tackle Lucas Niang
– Quarterback Chris Oladokun
– Wide receiver Cornell Powell
– Running back Deneric Prince
– Running back Louis-Rees-Zammit
– Wide receiver Nikko Remigio
– Wide receiver Justyn Ross
– Cornerback Keith Taylor
– Wide receiver Kadarius Toney
– Wide receiver Montrell Washington
Additionally, the Chiefs released several veterans, including 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 Tuesday at 3 p.m. CT.