The Kansas City Chiefs are reinforcing an ailing roster and practice squad for the final three-game stretch of the 2025 NFL season. The team has made several moves to promote players to the 53-man roster in recent weeks, leaving holes and a lack of depth on the practice squad.

Chiefs host 10 players for tryouts on Tuesday

According to the NFL’s personnel notice for Tuesday, Dec. 16, the Chiefs hosted 10 players for tryouts. They hosted two linebackers: Kam Arnold and Michael Barrett. They hosted six defensive backs: B.J. Adams, Darrick Forrest, LaMareon James, Jaylen Mahoney, Cam Smith, and Tanner McCalister. They also hosted one offensive lineman: Nick Broeker. The most eye-popping player they had in for tryouts was former Seattle Seahawks RB Damien Martinez, whom they had previously hosted for a pre-draft visit earlier this year. The team signed two players they hosted for tryouts, but some of the other players may land reserve/future deals or sign with the team later this week.

Chiefs sign OL Nick Broeker to practice squad

A former seventh-round pick out of Ole Miss by the Buffalo Bills in the 2023 NFL Draft, Broeker has spent the majority of his time in the NFL with the Houston Texans. The 6-foot-4 and 305-pound interior offensive lineman appeared in 12 games with the Texans between the 2023 and 2024 NFL seasons. He spent the 2025 NFL offseason with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but didn’t make it past the 53-man roster cuts. The Dallas Cowboys briefly claimed him on waivers before returning to the Bills’ practice squad in September of 2025. Buffalo released Broeker from its practice squad on Dec. 9. Broeker replaces C.J. Hanson, who was promoted to the 53-man roster just last week after the team placed Wanya Morris on IR.

Chiefs sign S Tanner McCalister to practice squad

A former undrafted free agent in 2023 out of Ohio State, the 5-foot-11 and 191-pound McCalister got his NFL start with the Cleveland Browns. He spent most of the 2023 NFL season on the practice squad but was promoted to the active roster for three games, mainly appearing on special teams, recording two total tackles. In 2024, it was virtually the same story with the Denver Broncos, landing a reserve/future deal, leading to time on the practice squad and a three-game stint on the 53-man roster. In July of 2025, McCalister signed with the New York Jets, but he didn’t survive 53-man roster cuts. He’s been a free agent ever since. McCalister will serve as a replacement for Mike Edwards, who was recently signed to the 53-man roster in Kansas City.

What’s next for the Chiefs’ 53-man roster and practice squad?

As I reported on Monday, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes has yet to be officially placed on injured reserve in the wake of his ACL/LCL surgery. That remains the case on Tuesday as well, with no official transactions on the league personnel notice. It’s not a matter of if, but a matter of when Mahomes will be placed on injured reserve.

The team could do it when practice resumes for Week 16 against the Tennessee Titans on Wednesday. They could also wait until Saturday, before the game, to make the move. In a corresponding move, I fully expect the Chiefs to promote practice squad QB Chris Oladokun to the 53-man roster to be the backup to Gardner Minshew for these next four weeks. That will free another space on the practice squad, which should realistically be used on another quarterback.

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