KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs made 15 moves to trim their roster to 76 players on Tuesday. The NFL-mandated limit is 75, but the Chiefs get a roster exemption for the time being for recently signed safety Eric Berry. Here’s a closer look at the first round of roster moves:
Most significant move: The Chiefs put linebacker Justin Houston on the physically unable to perform list, meaning he will miss at least the first six weeks of the regular season. He had surgery in February to repair a balky ACL. The Chiefs' other starting outside linebacker, Tamba Hali, only last week returned to practice, also after having knee surgery.
Another linebacker down: Josh Mauga, who entered camp as one of the starting inside linebackers, was placed on season-ending injured reserve. He will have hip surgery. The team's new starter at the position, Justin March, has never played in a regular-season NFL game. He joined the Chiefs last season as an undrafted rookie.
Much work to do at QB: The Chiefs are still carrying five quarterbacks in hopes of dealing at least one before Saturday's final roster cutdown to 53 players. Three roster hopefuls -- Tyler Bray, Aaron Murray and Kevin Hogan -- will play Thursday in the preseason finale against the Packers. Starter Alex Smith and backup Nick Foles are not scheduled to play.
Chiefs' moves: Placed on physically unable to perform list: LB Houston. Placed on injured reserve list: LB Mauga. Released: S Stevie Brown, DB Bryce Cheek, DL Niko Davis, OL Curtis Feigt, CB Malcolm Jackson, WR Seantavius Jones, LB Jonathan Massaquoi, WR Mitch Mathews, OL Garrick Mayweather, FB Trey Millard, WR Kashif Moore, C Drew Nowak, WR Mike Williams.
