KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs began the process of paring their roster for next week's mandatory cuts when they released a pair of veterans trying to revive their careers, wide receiver Mike Williams and safety Stevie Brown. Neither veteran was getting much playing time in the preseason or at practice.
The Chiefs, like all NFL teams, must trim their roster to 75 players by Tuesday. The Chiefs currently have 88 players.
Here are some other veteran players who are on the roster bubble:
RB Knile Davis: The Chiefs don’t have a particular need for Davis, who is their fourth running back when Jamaal Charles returns to game action. He’s not as good a fit in the Chiefs’ offensive system as their other backs, in part because he hasn’t been reliable as a pass blocker or pass receiver. But while Davis may only be the Chiefs’ fourth-best back, he’s one of their 53 best players. He also is a dangerous kickoff returner, as he showed in last season's playoff win over Houston, so Davis still has value. Does he make it to the regular season? Yes, unless the Chiefs can acquire a draft pick from another team in a trade.
WR De'Anthony Thomas: The Chiefs haven’t been able to get much from Thomas offensively. He’s not one of their top six receivers and there’s little chance he will become one any time soon. Thomas has ability as a return specialist, particularly on punts. But the Chiefs love Tyreek Hill in that role and it’s his job to lose. Does he make it to the regular season? No.
DB Marcus Cooper: The Chiefs have a lot of uncertainty in their defensive backfield right now. Eric Berry hasn’t shown up yet, Phillip Gaines has yet to play in the preseason, and in Steven Nelson, D.J. White and Eric Murray, a lot of inexperienced guys are playing a lot for the Chiefs right now. They can use someone with Cooper’s experience. Does he make it to the regular season? Yes.
