Kansas City Chiefs trimming their roster to 53 as NFL deadline looms: latest cuts here
A busy couple of days ahead.
The Chiefs are in the process of their establishing their initial 53-man roster.
They had 80 players heading into their preseason finale Friday against the Vikings, so they were faced with making 27 moves before the NFL’s 3 p.m. Tuesday deadline — 3 p.m. Central Time.
They can create two spots by placing guard Kyle Long on the physically unable to perform list and defensive lineman Malik Herring on the non-football injury list.
Here is a rundown of the moves so far (we’re updating as they come in):
• The Chiefs are trading offensive lineman Yasir Durant to the New England Patriots in exchange for a 2022 seventh-round draft pick, a source told The Star. Durant joined the Chiefs in 2020 as an undrafted free agent out of Missouri and made the initial 53-player roster. A versatile offensive lineman capable of playing tackle and guard, Durant started the Week 17 season finale at right guard.
• Devon Key, an early training camp standout, has been waived, according to a source. Key rotated with the first- and second-string units early in camp, but a shaky preseason opener changed that. Still, he impressed in practice, and the Chiefs will look to return him to the practice squad if he clears waivers, we’ve been told.
• The Chiefs have waived wide receiver Darrius Shepherd, a source told The Star. Shepherd is a Blue Springs High School graduate. Special teams coordinator Dave Toub complimented his work on special teams, a sure-handed returner.
• Safety Zayne Anderson has been waived, a source confirmed. Anderson, an undrafted free agent from BYU, received more reps as training camp progressed. NFL Network first reported his transaction. The Chiefs will look to return Anderson to the practice squad, The Star has learned.
• Defensive end Demone Harris was waived, according to a source. If he clears waivers, he’s a candidate to return to the team’s practice squad.
• Blue Valley Northwest and Kansas State graduate Dalton Schoen, a wide receiver, has been waived. Schoen joined the team on a reserve/future deal during the offseason
• The Chiefs waived linebacker Omari Cobb, who had a standout game in the preseason opener in San Francisco, per sources, with the intent of bringing him back to the practice squad.
• The Chiefs are waiving defensive lineman Austin Edwards, according to a source. Edwards had a strong showing with run-stuffing plays at the goal line in the preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings. He could return to the Chiefs’ practice squad if unclaimed on waivers.
• Offensive lineman Wyatt Miller, who joined the Chiefs in June, was waived, according to a source. Miller could rejoin the team on the practice squad if he clears waivers.
• The Chiefs will waive wide receiver Maurice Ffrench, per a source. Ffrench, who entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2020, spent last season on the team’s practice squad.
• Running back Derrick Gore, who starred in the preseason finale, has been waived, according to a source. Gore totaled 106 yards and a touchdown in the win Friday against the Vikings, including taking a 56-yard screen pass to the end zone. He also led all rushers with 54 yards on 8 carries in the second preseason game in Arizona.
• The Chiefs waived Darwin Thompson, a source told The Star. Thompson, whom the Chiefs selected in the sixth-round of the 2019 NFL Draft, had a tough road to crack the roster this season. The Chiefs signed versatile veteran Jerick McKinnon in late April, a move that likely helped seal Thompson’s fate on the active 53-player roster. But it wouldn’t surprise if Thompson returns to the practice squad if he clears waivers.
• Center Darryl Williams was waived, according to a source. The 6-foot-3, 310-pound Williams spent time on the Chiefs practice squad last year.
• Rookie cornerback Marlon Character was waived, according to a source. Character joined the team as an undrafted free agent out of Louisville. He totaled three tackles and a pass defensed in the Chiefs’ preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings.
This story was originally published August 30, 2021 at 10:12 AM.