Chiefs reinstate DT Chris Jones, receive two-game roster exemption from NFL
Kansas City Chiefs DT Chris Jones has officially ended his holdout. News broke on Monday that he'd agreed to terms on an incentive-laden one-year deal. He officially put pen to paper on that deal on Tuesday, and the Chiefs reinstated him from the Reserve/Did Not Report list. While Jones is technically back with the team, there is a […]
Kansas City Chiefs DT Chris Jones has officially ended his holdout.
News broke on Monday that he'd agreed to terms on an incentive-laden one-year deal. He officially put pen to paper on that deal on Tuesday, and the Chiefs reinstated him from the Reserve/Did Not Report list.
While Jones is technically back with the team, there is a catch.
The Chiefs received a roster exemption from the NFL for Jones, which lasts through Monday, Sept. 25. During that period, Jones doesn't count toward the 53-man roster or against the team's salary cap. However, while he is exempt, Jones is not able to play in a game. In order for him to suit up and play against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2, Brett Veach needs to do the following:
- Become salary cap compliant
- Create space for Jones on the 53-man roster
- Remove the exemption (this can be done at any time)
- Activate Jones to the 53-man roster
Basically, the roster exemption gives the Chiefs a bit of a buffer to get their ducks in a row financially and roster-wise.
Unless Jones is ridiculously out of shape and unfit to play, fans should expect to see his activation by Saturday, paving the way for him to get back out on the field in Week 2. The team is already making the financial moves necessary to become salary cap compliant. They restructured LG Joe Thuney's deal, which created just under $9 million in cap space. They still need to clear some more space, which could be done with a Travis Kelce restructure or extension.
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Featured image via Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
