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Brashard Smith Brashard Smith Beats out Demercado for roster spot
Sat, Sep 5, 2026, 9:43 AM
Smith is the third and final running back on the Chiefs' 53-man roster for the 2026 regular season, Matt McMullen of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Smith and Emari Demercado entered training camp battling for a depth spot on the Chiefs' active roster, but the former ended up winning that RB3 role behind Kenneth Walker and rookie fifth-rounder Emmett Johnson. Smith, a 2025 seventh-rounder, played in all 17 regular-season games in his rookie campaign, turning 44 carries into 151 yards (3.4 YPC) while catching 25 passes (on 35 targets) for 172 yards and a touchdown. Walker figures to be the bellcow running back for the Chiefs, but Smith could see the field on passing downs to give the former a breather. |
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Dealing with hamstring issue
Thu, Sep 3, 2026, 8:39 PM
Thomas (hamstring) did not participate at practice Thursday, Pete Sweeney of The Kansas City Star reports.
Analysis: The details of the injury are unknown, and Thomas' status for Kansas City's matchup versus the Broncos in Week 1 is now up in the air. In his absence, Cooper McDonald could see an uptick in reps. |
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Back at practice Thursday
Thu, Sep 3, 2026, 6:44 PM
Jones (back) participated at practice Thursday, Harold R. Kuntz of Fox 4 News Kansas City reports.
Analysis: Jones missed Wednesday's session because of a back issue, but it doesn't seem like it was anything major. The three-time All-Pro figures to get as many snaps as he can handle in 2026. |
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Still dealing with back issue
Wed, Sep 2, 2026, 7:27 PM
Simmons (back) did not participate at practice Wednesday, Pete Sweeney of The Kansas City Star reports.
Analysis: It's not clear at this point exactly what happened or whether it will threaten Simmons' availability for Kansas City's matchup versus the Broncos in Week 1. Until he's ready to return to practice, Jaylon Moore is a likely candidate to step in with the first team at left tackle. |
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Dealing with minor back issue
Wed, Sep 2, 2026, 6:36 PM
Jones (back) did not participate in Wednesday's practice, Charles Goldman of AtoZSports.com reports.
Analysis: It is unclear where Jones picked up the issue, but coach Andy Reid stated it was very minor. The veteran could likely have been sitting for vet-rest reasons and is not expected to miss any time. |
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Kenneth Walker III Kenneth Walker III Returns to full practice Wednesday
Wed, Sep 2, 2026, 11:56 AM
Walker (ankle) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, Pete Sweeney of The Kansas City Star reports.
Analysis: Walker dealt with some swelling around his ankle last week due to some cleat issues, but the star running back is back in action Wednesday with 12 days to go before the Chiefs open their season at home against the Broncos on Monday, Sept. 14. After splitting duties with Zach Charbonnet (knee) in Seattle, Walker is expected to operate as a three-down workhorse with Kansas City this season. Only fifth-round rookie Emmett Johnson and 2025 seventh-rounder Brashard Smith round out the depth chart behind Walker. |
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Emmett Johnson Emmett Johnson Well-positioned for role
Tue, Sep 1, 2026, 10:51 AM
Johnson is in line to be Kenneth Walker's backup for the Chiefs this season.
Analysis: The Chiefs had final roster cutdowns Sunday and waived veteran Emari Demercado, clearing a path to a role for Johnson. The rookie out of Nebraska impressed throughout training camp and the preseason. Kansas City also has Brashard Smith on the roster, but Johnson may be the handcuff to target for fantasy managers. |
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Reverts to IR
Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 8:16 PM
Hanson (undisclosed) reverted to Kansas City's injured reserve Monday, Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com reports.
Analysis: Hanson was waived/injured Sunday and subsequently went unclaimed on waivers. Since he consequently reverted to IR, he'll need to sit out the entire 2026 season unless he works out an injury settlement with the Chiefs. |
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EJ Smith EJ Smith Reverts to Kansas City injured reserve
Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 6:43 PM
Smith (undisclosed) reverted to the Chiefs' injured reserve list Monday, Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com reports.
Analysis: Smith was waived with an injury designation on Sunday. The running back cleared waivers and will now spend the entirety of the 2026 regular season on injured reserve unless he is waived with an injury settlement. The undrafted free agent out of Stanford will likely request a settlement to recover from his issue and sign with another franchise. |
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Chris Oladokun Chris Oladokun Reverts to IR
Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 6:38 PM
Oladokun (undisclosed) reverted to the Chiefs' injured reserve list Monday, Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com reports.
Analysis: The Chiefs waived Oladokun with an injury designation on Sunday, and the quarterback went unclaimed on waivers. The 28-year-old will now spend the entirety of the 2026 regular season on IR unless he is waived with an injury settlement. |
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Moved to reserve/PUP list
Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 12:45 PM
Norman-Lott (knee) was moved to the reserve/PUP list by the Chiefs on Sunday.
Analysis: Norman-Lott was placed on the active/PUP list ahead of training camp, and he did not appear in a preseason game as he continues to recover from a torn ACL that he suffered in October. The defensive lineman will now be forced to miss at least four contests to begin the regular season, and in his absence, rookie first-rounder Peter Woods will handle the primary reserve role at defensive tackle behind Chris Jones and Khyiris Tonga. |
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Jimmy Holiday Jimmy Holiday Placed on IR
Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 12:40 PM
Holiday (undisclosed) was placed on injured reserve by the Chiefs on Sunday.
Analysis: Holiday is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and he did not play during the preseason. The wide receiver will now be forced to miss the entire 2026 campaign while on IR, unless he is able to reach an injury settlement with Kansas City. |
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EJ Smith EJ Smith Waived with injury designation by KC
Sun, Aug 30, 2026, 9:32 PM
The Chiefs waived/injured Smith (undisclosed) on Sunday.
Analysis: Smith participated in all three preseason games for the Chiefs, rushing four times for six yards in Friday's finale against the Seahawks. The running back likely picked up an injury in Friday's game. If Smith clears waivers, he will revert to the Chiefs' injured reserve list, where he would remain for the entirety of the 2026 regular season unless he was waived with an injury settlement. |
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Emari Demercado Emari Demercado Logs 52 total yards in exhibition finale
Sat, Aug 29, 2026, 6:52 PM
Demercado rushed nine time for 37 yards and caught his only target for 15 yards Friday in a 9-9 exhibition tie with the Seahawks.
Analysis: Demercado is battling with rookie Emmett Johnson and sophomore Brashard Smith for Kansas City's backup RB role behind Kenneth Walker (ankle). Johnson got the start Friday and impressed with seven rushes for 39 yards and two catches on two targets for 15 yards, while Smith also played well, carrying 16 times for 72 yards and returning one kickoff for 57 yards. Demercado did fine in logging 4.1 YPC, but it remains to be seen who will be named the No. 2 ball carrier heading into the regular season. Johnson (26-123-1) and Smith (30-130-0) both put up better stats on the ground during the exhibition slate than Demercado (17-64-0), but the latter has the most experience among the trio and has averaged an impressive 6.5 YPC over 126 career regular-season totes while showing the ability to catch passes as well, so he could have the upper hand in the competition. |
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Rashee Rice Rashee Rice Logs 10 snaps in preseason finale
Sat, Aug 29, 2026, 6:36 PM
Rice played offensive 10 snaps in Kansas City's 9-9 exhibition tie with the Seahawks on Friday and did not record any targets or touches.
Analysis: Rice and some of Kansas City's key offensive starters got to log some reps during the first quarter before being pulled. Though he didn't produce any offensive output, it's notable that Rice took part in his first game action since he landed on IR due to a concussion late last December. Rice had a tumultuous offseason, as he spent some time in jail due to a probation violation and also had a minor procedure on his right knee, but he appears healthy and isn't expected to face NFL discipline for the legal issue. As such, he can be penciled in as the Chiefs' top WR heading into Week 1 versus Denver on Monday, Sept. 14. |
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Patrick Mahomes Patrick Mahomes On track for Week 1
Sat, Aug 29, 2026, 12:08 PM
Mahomes (knee) is on track to start Week 1 against the Broncos, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Mahomes said a week ago he was "extremely confident" he would be ready for Kansas City's season opener, and the latest report keeps him on track to do so. It's unclear how close he is to 100 percent, but it's growing more and more likely that the torn left ACL he sustained last December will not cost him any action during the 2026 campaign. |
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Garrett Nussmeier Garrett Nussmeier Plays wire to wire in preseason finale
Fri, Aug 28, 2026, 11:05 PM
Nussmeier completed 22 of 34 passes for 198 yards with no touchdowns and one interception in the Chiefs' 9-9 preseason tie with the Seahawks on Friday.
Analysis: The rookie seventh-round pick got an extended opportunity Friday and made relatively good use of it, although his 5.8 yards per attempt underscore Nussmeier largely played things close to the vest when dropping back. The LSU product finished preseason having completed 44 of 70 passes for 370 yards with no touchdowns and one interception, and it remains to be seen if he's locked in the No. 3 quarterback role over Chris Oladokun. |
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Cyrus Allen Cyrus Allen Finishes preseason with one catch
Fri, Aug 28, 2026, 11:02 PM
Allen brought in one of two targets for 12 yards in the Chiefs' 9-9 preseason tie with the Seahawks on Friday.
Analysis: The rookie fifth-round pick didn't make his catch until the opening possession of the second half. Allen was busy this preseason with six catches on 12 targets, but those netted a modest 39 yards. Nevertheless, the Cincinnati product is likely locked into a reserve receiver role to open the 2026 season. |
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Xavier Worthy Xavier Worthy One target in preseason debut
Fri, Aug 28, 2026, 10:32 PM
Worthy (shoulder) failed to bring in his only target in the Chiefs' 9-9 preseason tie with the Seahawks on Friday.
Analysis: The speedster made his preseason debut after overcoming a shoulder sprain that had plagued him for multiple weeks. Now apparently healthy, Worthy heads into his third season looking to build on the promise of his 2024 rookie campaign -- when he posted a 59-638-6 line across 17 regular-season games -- and atone for a lackluster 2025 season when he made just one trip to the end zone on 42 catches and missed three games. |
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Travis Kelce Travis Kelce One catch in preseason finale
Fri, Aug 28, 2026, 10:28 PM
Kelce secured his only target for eight yards in Friday's 9-9 preseason tie with the Seahawks.
Analysis: Kelce was on the other end of starting quarterback's Garrett Nussmeier's first pass of the night, an eight-yard completion that took the ball to midfield on Kansas City's opening possession. Kelce thus was able to record his only stats of preseason in the brief cameo, and he'll now turn his attention to a Week 1 Monday night home showdown against the Broncos on Sept. 14 that he'll hope to play with Patrick Mahomes (knee) as his quarterback. |
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