The KC Chiefs roster cuts are in. You can see them right here or you can read what I think are the most interesting parts of the Chiefs cuts.
This running back thing
The release of CJ Spiller was a surprise because he had a good offseason plus the Chiefs usually keep three backs and a fullback. They have just two backs (Kareem Hunt and Charcandrick West) and a fullback (Anthony Sherman) now. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a move here soon.
The counterpoint here is that I went back and looked at how many yards the third true running back on the roster had last year (by “true” I mean not Tyreek Hill or De’Anthony Thomas). It was Jamaal Charles with 40 rushing yards.
Tamba Hali out at least six weeks
So Tamba says those things on Twitter before the season, he doesn’t participate in training camp or preseason and then the Chiefs put him on the shelf for at least six weeks of regular season action. The PUP list means he’s out for at least six weeks and possibly longer. I get the logic here because you want a veteran like Tamba fresh in the second half of the season but this whole situation is just odd.
Only three tight ends
The Chiefs had kept four before so I thought they might keep four again. Instead, they go with Travis Kelce, Demetrius Harris and Ross Travis. They cut Gavin Escobar, which was probably the second biggest surprise behind Spiller, and Orson Charles.
Cairo Santos must be healthy
The Chiefs cut Sam Ficken, the kicker they signed after Santos went down with an injury. Santos returned in the preseason finale to miss an extra point but then make a field goal. So he must be good to go if they let Ficken go.
Isaiah Battle traded to Seattle
Good job by GM Brett Veach getting something for Battle. In Kansas City, Battle will unfortunately be remembered as the guy who got the penalty on Patrick Mahomes’ first deep pass in the first preseason game.
WRs Seantavius Jones and Marcus Kemp out
We talked about whether one of these two would make the roster. I thought they both had a shot but I wasn’t sure which existing receiver the Chiefs would cut. Turns out, they’re not cutting any existing receivers. They both could be practice squad candidates.
Chiefs are heavy on the offensive line
They kept nine offensive linemen, including Jordan Devey and Parker Ehinger. This could be an area where they pluck someone if they need a roster spot for the waiver wire.