Chiefs 53-Man Roster Tracker: Cutdown Day News Ahead of Week 1

The preseason may be over for the Kansas City Chiefs, but they don't have any time to rest. With three August games in the books, general manager Brett Veach's real work now begins.

By 5 p.m. CT on Sunday, Kansas City must have its 90-man roster trimmed down to 53 players. Many spots are likely set in stone, but a few competitive races for depth chart positioning have transpired since training camp began. Not everyone who's cut will be away from the organization for long, although several others will eventually latch on with other clubs.

Below, you'll find the latest on the Chiefs' roster cuts prior to Week 1, with the group ranging from developmental projects to veterans who were on the bubble but could return on the practice squad down the road.

Kansas City Chiefs Roster Cuts: News, Injuries and Procedural Moves

Here's an up-to-date list of players the Chiefs are cutting after the preseason, as well as news on injuries and other procedural moves made by Veach and company.

LB Wesley Bissainthe

The Chiefs' first roster cut came on Saturday afternoon, as the team released rookie linebacker Wesley Bissainthe, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

The most unique part of Bissainthe's release comes with his potential next landing spot: back to college! On Thursday, Bissainthe and 40 other athletes were granted a temporary restraining order that would allow them to return for another season of eligibility, even after joining a professional roster. According to ESPN, Bissanthe and Chiefs wide receiver Omari Evans were both among the 41 players listed as plaintiffs.

CB Zelmar Vedder

The Chiefs have waived rookie cornerback Zelmar Vedder, according to Aaron Wilson. Vedder was frequently the first player to take the field at Chiefs training camp in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Chiefs trade for OT Diego Pounds

The Chiefs made an acquisition on Saturday, trading for undrafted rookie Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Diego Pounds. According to Nate Taylor of ESPN, the Chiefs are sending a conditional 2028 sixth-round pick to Baltimore.

CB Kaiir Elam

In their first reported move of Sunday, per Jordan Schultz, Kansas City is releasing cornerback Kaiir Elam. The former first-round pick latched on with the team in free agency back in April but couldn't crack a loaded corner rotation that also saw players like L'Jarius Sneed, Kader Kohou and rookie Jadon Canady added to it.

TE Tre Watson

Former Fresno State and Texas A&M tight end Tre Watson is being cut, per Schefter. He spent his rookie season on the Chiefs' practice squad as an undrafted free agent and returned on a reserve/futures deal in January.

WR Xavier Loyd

Local product Xavier Loyd is being cut, via Jesse Newell of The Athletic. The former Kansas State and Missouri wideout first signed with the Chiefs after turning some heads at rookie minicamp in the spring.

OL Pete Nygra

Courtesy of Sam McDowell of the Kansas City Star, undrafted rookie offensive lineman Pete Nygra is has been cut. McDowell tabs Nygra as a potential practice squad reunion candidate if he passes through waivers. Nygra led all Chiefs in snaps played this preseason, spending time at center and both guard spots.

Report: TE Jake Briningstool makes 53-man roster

2025 UDFA Jake Briningstool has made the initial 53, Taylor reports. After missing his debut campaign with a hamstring injury, he returned and recorded eight receptions for 76 yards over three games this month.

DE Emmanuel Ogbah

In a bit of a surprise move, the Chiefs are releasing defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah (Schefter) less than three weeks after signing him. As a vested veteran, though, he isn't subject to waivers and could return to the practice squad if he chooses.

WR Jacob De Jesus

Wideout Jacob De Jesus was waived, via Pete Sweeney of the Kansas City Star. The undrafted rookie free agent was a favorite of special teams coordinator Dave Toub throughout the summer. Sweeney adds that there's "a possibility" De Jesus lands on the practice squad should he go unclaimed on waivers.

DE Ethan Hurkett

Sweeney also reports that defensive end Ethan Hurkett is being waived. Hurkett first joined the Chiefs as a UDFA in May, was released, then returned to kick off the month of August. The former Iowa standout could be a practice squad candidate.

OT Esa Pole

Developmental tackle Esa Pole was waived, per McDowell. KC waived him last summer and reacquired him after his time with the New York Jets ended, and he went on to play 275 snaps at left tackle down the stretch of the 2025-26 season. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed 15 pressures in 177 opportunities.

LB Kam Arnold

Linebacker Kam Arnold was waived, per Matt Derrick of Chiefs Digest. He spent the end of last season on the Kansas City practice squad and is a converted safety who offers some coverage versatility and an intriguing athletic profile at the second level of the defense.

Kam Arnold is a LB prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored a 9.31 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 221 out of 3182 LB from 1987 to 2025.https://t.co/USRcO1CaTP pic.twitter.com/rNL0KfeXsS
— RAS.football (@MathBomb) April 2, 2025

TE Mason Pline

The Chiefs have waived tight end Mason Pline, according to McDowell. With Briningstool reportedly making the squad and Watson being let go, Jared Wiley remains as the team's last on-the-bubble tight end.

CB D'Arco Perkins-McAllister

Rookie undrafted free agent cornerback D'Arco Perkins-McAllister is being waived, according to Wilson. The University of Louisiana-Monroe product played 58% of the Chiefs' defensive snaps in the team's preseason finale.

DT Omarr Norman-Lott to start on PUP, DT Marcus Harris makes the cut

Second-year defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott will begin the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list as he continues to rehabilitate from last season's ACL injury. In his place, Marcus Harris will reportedly make the Chiefs' 53-man roster, with both reports coming from Taylor.

Harris, a 2024 seventh-round pick by the Houston Texans, rose above the rest of the Chiefs' defensive tackles in competition for the team's potential No. 4 DT role behind Chris Jones, Khyiris Tonga and Peter Woods.

DT Damon Payne

In conjunction with the Harris news, defensive tackle Damon Payne fell on the wrong side of the final D-tackle decision and has been released, according to McDowell.

Jimmy Holiday placed on injured reserve

In the Chiefs' official reveal of the 53-man roster, they announced that wide receiver Jimmy Holiday was placed on the injured reserve list. The 2025 UDFA impressed during training camp but didn't get to carry his momentum into the preseason. He appeared in the Chiefs 2025-26 regular-season finale against the Las Vegas Raiders, playing one offensive snap.

For the Chiefs' complete 53-man roster that was finalized on Sunday, read here.

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