Kansas City Chiefs

Matt Waletzko

OT

Waletzko did not get claimed after the Chiefs waived him with an undisclosed injury Thursday, and he's now in line to spend the entire 2026 on IR. He last suited up for a regular-season contest back in 2024 with the Cowboys.

Ashton Gillotte

DE

The defensive end might even be able to return for Kansas City's regular-season opener against Denver on Sept. 14, per Nate Taylor of ESPN.com. Gillotte strained his hamstring during a training camp session in late July, returned a little over two weeks later and then ruptured his plantar fascia during a drill. The 2025 third-round pick recorded 38 tackles (14 solo), including 1.5 sacks, in a rotational role as a rookie.

Jeff Caldwell

WR

An athletic specimen at 6-foot-5 and 216 pounds with 4.31 speed, Caldwell landed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent out of Cincinnati back in April. He played nine offensive snaps in last week's preseason opener but failed to corral his lone target.

Brashard Smith

RB

Smith has his work cut out for him to earn a role on offense, though the pecking order between Emari Demercado, Emmett Johnson and Smith is far from set in stone behind lead back Kenneth Walker. Even if Smith fails to move up the depth chart, he has a decent chance of making the 53-man roster thanks to his contributions on special teams. General manager Brett Veach said that Smith "adds value as a dynamic speed element and his return game as a punt kick returner."

Emari Demercado

RB

"Demercado is a veteran guy that has always been good in the pass protection game, and he's a reliable receiver," general manager Brett Veach said of the free-agent signing. The signing of Demercado was overshadowed by the addition of Kenneth Walker, who is expected to work as the team's lead back, but Veach's comments suggest Demercado could mix in for third downs and other passing situations. Rookie fifth-round pick Emmett Johnson and 2025 seventh-round pick Brashard Smith could challenge Demercado for the top backup spot.

Patrick Mahomes

QB

The Chiefs will have Justin Fields, Garrett Nussmeier and Chris Oladokun split the reps at quarterback while Mahomes is held out for a second straight game. Mahomes has incurred no reported setbacks in his recovery from the torn ACL and LCL in his left knee that he sustained last December, as the Chiefs are seemingly just exercising caution by holding him out of action during the preseason slate. He was cleared to take part in 11-on-11 drills at the beginning of training camp and took snaps with the first-team offense during Thursday's practice after Fields went first through the order in preparation for his start Saturday, per Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com. Mahomes remains on track to start the Chiefs' regular-season opener Sept. 14 versus the Broncos.

Justin Fields

QB

The Chiefs appear prepared to err on the side of caution and hold out Patrick Mahomes (knee) for another exhibition game as he works his way back from ACL surgery. Mahomes has taken part in 11-on-11 drills during training camp and should be ready to go for the start of the regular season, but Fields looks poised to play extended snaps Saturday while the two-time MVP is in street clothes. Fields started and played two drives in the Chiefs' 20-12 loss to the Rams in the preseason opener last week, completing four of four pass attempts for 41 yards and carrying twice for nine yards.

Drue Tranquill

LB

questionable

Trey Smith

G

questionable

L'Jarius Sneed

CB

questionable

Kader Kohou

CB

questionable

Chukwuebuka Godrick

OT

questionable

Mansoor Delane

CB

Tyquan Thornton

WR

Thornton left Tuesday's practice session on a cart, and now there's more clarification on what caused the early exit. Hamstring issues can be tricky for receivers, and the timing is unfortunate with the season less than a month away. Thornton's timeline will be set once the severity of the injury is determined. Cyrus Allen and Jalen Royals should get more opportunities in Thornton's absence.

Xavier Worthy

WR

Though Worthy is not yet back to full-team drills, his participation in 7-on-7 is still a step in the right direction. Worthy did not play in the preseason opener, and it's unclear if he'll suit up for any of the upcoming exhibitions as he works his way back to 100 percent from a shoulder injury. Getting back into 11-on-11 work will be the next big step for Worthy's progression.

Chris Roland-Wallace

CB

Roland-Wallace had been dealing with a back injury dating back to last December, but he was able to play in the team's preseason opener, officially leaving behind the injury. The cornerback is competing for a depth spot in the secondary with Kansas City this season, and he was able to play 44 percent of the team's defensive snaps against Los Angeles.

Jeffrey Bassa

LB

Bassa was dealing with a groin injury at training camp, but he was ultimately able to give it a go in the preseason opener. The linebacker was able to play 43 percent of the defensive snaps in the contest, and he'll have two more opportunities to build off of his performance during the preseason.

Kenneth Walker III

RB

Walker's lone snap came on the Chiefs' opening drive, and he was immediately spelled for by 2025 seventh-rounder Brashard Smith. Walker may see more action in the Chiefs' next exhibition game this coming Saturday against the Buccaneers if head coach Andy Reid opts to give the starters more run. Walker is entering his first season in Kansas City after spending the first four years of his NFL career with Seattle. He's expected to lead a Chiefs backfield that also consists of Smith, Emari Demercado and rookie fifth-rounder Emmett Johnson.

Garrett Nussmeier

QB

Justin Fields served as the Chiefs' starter Saturday and led the team's first two offensive drives before turning the keys over to Nussmeier. The rookie seventh-rounder looked good out of the gate, leading long scoring drives in the second quarter than ended with field goals of 37 and 35 yards from Harrison Butker. Fields is firmly entrenched as the Chiefs' backup quarterback behind Patrick Mahomes (knee), so Nussmeier is competing against Chris Oladokun for the QB3 role in the upcoming season. Kansas City's next preseason game takes place Saturday, Aug. 22 against the Buccaneers.

Emmett Johnson

RB

Johnson led all running backs in both carries and rushing yards and finished second in receiving yards at the position behind Brashard Smith (12). Following Saturday's game, Johnson drew praise from head coach Andy Reid, who noted the rookie fifth-rounder "ran hard and aggressively... he's one of the positives coming out of this," per Charles Goldman of AtoZSports.com. Johnson is currently listed as the Chiefs' RB3 ahead of Smith and behind Kenneth Walker and Emari Demercado, but more performances like Saturday's could push Johnson ahead of Demercado for the No. 2 role by the start of the regular season. The Chiefs' next preseason game takes place Saturday, Aug. 22 against the Buccaneers.

Cyrus Allen

WR

Allen joined Jalen Royals and Tyquan Thornton as the Chiefs' three starting wide receivers while Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy (shoulder) observed Saturday's preseason game from the sidelines. Allen turned a screen pass from Justin Fields into a big gain the first quarter, only for the play to be negated by a holding penalty by Royals. Allen didn't end up registering his first catch until late in the second quarter, but he made a nice leaping 13-yard grab on a third-and-8 to move the chains. The rookie fifth-rounder drew praise after the game from head coach Andy Reid, who told reporters that Allen has "been doing well in camp...Looked like he picked right up from there," per Charles Goldman of AtoZSports.com. Thornton is currently listed as the third starting wide receiver alongside Worthy and Rice on the Chiefs' unofficial depth chart, but Allen could play himself into a prominent role on offense with a strong performance in training camp and preseason games. The Chiefs will hit the road for their next exhibition game Saturday, Aug. 22, against the Buccaneers.

Travis Kelce

TE

"That's probably the biggest thing for me, is making sure I'm accountable to the guys in this [locker] room and every single play that I'm out there," Kelce continued. "[Just] being more accountable when the ball is in the air. There were a few games last year that I felt like I put on myself. In the blocking world, being able to get my guy so we can spring guys for bigger gains. And just being a better leader." Kelce led the Chiefs in receiving last season, but his 50.1 yards per game were his fewest in the last 12 years. He did average 11.2 yards per catch, though, which was a big jump from his 8.5 yards-per-catch average in 2024. Kelce is turning 37 years old in less than two months and doesn't move like he used to, but he still knows how to get open and has undeniable chemistry with Patrick Mahomes. Kelce should remain a big factor on third downs and in the red zone for Kansas City, but he's no longer one of fantasy's top tight ends.

Rashee Rice

WR

The report notes that Rice's return from arthroscopic knee surgery is a bigger concern for the Chiefs right now, with the wideout perhaps not yet in game shape after being eased into drills in training camp. He probably won't play much this preseason, if at all, but Rice still has a month to get ready for a starting role in Week 1 against Denver.

Emmanuel Ogbah

DE

Ogbah was part of the Chiefs' roster in 2019 and contributed to the team's run to Super Bowl LIV. He has 10 NFL seasons under his belt and appeared in 13 regular-season games for the Jaguars in 2025, when he logged 15 tackles (six solo), including 0.5 sacks, and one pass defense. Ashton Gillotte (hamstring) has been sidelined for the past two weeks of training camp, so Ogbah will have the opportunity to compete for a rotational role at defensive end behind starters George Karlaftis and Felix Anudike-Uzomah.

Ethan Driskell

OT