Chiefs elevate QB Kyle Shurmur to active roster; release De’Anthony Thomas

According to the team’s official Twitter account, the Kansas City Chiefs have elevated rookie quarterback Kyle Shurmur to the active roster.

To make room for Shurmur, the Chiefs released wide receiver/kick returner De’Anthony Thomas. Shurmur’s practice squad spot was taken up by defensive tackle Braxton Hoyett, who was released from the practice squad just a week ago.

The Chiefs’ tweet also provides official notice of the roster moves reported on Sunday: the release of defensive tackle Terrell McClain and the signing of defensive tackle Mike Pennel.

We expected the team to move Shurmur to active roster at some point before the Chiefs face the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night, because the team had only two quarterbacks on the active roster: now-injured Patrick Mahomes and veteran backup Matt Moore. Mahomes is expected to miss between two and four games after sustaining a dislocated kneecap during Thursday’s 30-6 victory over the Denver Broncos.

In fact, the only mystery about this roster move was which player the Chiefs would cut to make room for Shurmur. Thomas — whose contract had been allowed to expire after last season — was re-signed to the team in late August after wide receiver Marcus Kemp was placed on injured reserve. After serving a one-game NFL suspension stemming from an offseason arrest for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, his on-field performance — mostly as a kick returner — had not been impressive.