Elijah Mitchell’s peculiar time with Kansas City Chiefs comes to an end in latest flurry of roster moves ahead of Week 16
The Chiefs placed two players on injured reserve, waived another, and signed three practice squad players to the 53-man roster, while elevating two others.
The Kansas City Chiefs announced a flurry of roster moves on Saturday ahead of their Week 16 game against the Tennessee Titans.
With the roster ailing from injuries, the team made the moves necessary to reinforce the 53-man roster. While some of these moves are clearly a matter of fielding a competitive roster for the final three games of the season, a few of the decisions from GM Brett Veach seem to be about figuring some things out for the future.
Elijah Mitchell’s time with the Chiefs comes to an end, but RB Dameon Pierce’s may only be just beginning
After a very peculiar tenure with the Chiefs, Elijah Mitchell’s time has come to an end. In what can only be described as one of the team’s biggest free agency misses of the 2025 NFL offseason, Mitchell was active for just a single game, recording one target, no receptions, and no carries. He signed a one-year deal worth up to $3.5 million back in March.
In a corresponding move, the Chiefs signed RB Dameon Pierce to the 53-man roster to take his place. Pierce was signed to the practice squad in late November after being released by the Houston Texans. He seems to be on a collision course for his debut snaps in Kansas City in these final three weeks of the season as the team looks to figure out the future of the running back position. This could very well be an audition to be a part of that.
Chiefs place LB Leo Chenal and RT Jawaan Taylor on injured reserve
The 2025 NFL season comes to an end for Chiefs LB Leo Chenal and RT Jawaan Taylor. With no postseason prospects, being placed on injured reserve with just three games remaining means they won’t play again this year. The reality for both players is that they could’ve taken their final snap in Kansas City. Taylor has an out year in his contract in 2026, and Chenal is a pending free agent as a member of the team’s 2022 NFL Draft class.
If this is the end of the line for Chenal, he’ll go out having appeared in 65 regular-season games with 44 starts. He also appeared in 10 postseason games, with five starts, becoming a two-time Super Bowl champion. During that span, he recorded 249 total tackles, 20 tackles for loss, eight sacks, six passes defended, four forced fumbles, and an interception.
Chiefs sign Chris Oladokun and Chu Godrick to the 53-man roster
With Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ two starting tackles on injured reserve, it’s no surprise to see the Chiefs reinforce the quarterback and offensive tackle positions. With Jaylon Moore ruled out, Godrick is in line to start at right tackle in Week 16 against the Titans. Last week, the international player got his first chance to play in an NFL regular-season game after Moore got hurt.
As for Oladokun, he’ll be playing the backup role behind Gardner Minshew. He’s been a member of the Chiefs’ practice squad since 2022 and has never been promoted to the 53-man roster until this point. Will he get a chance to start or play in a game before the season comes to a close?
“Well, right now it’s Gardner (Minshew),” Andy Reid said this week. “It’s Gardner. That’s where we’re at.”
Matt Waletzko and Cole Christiansen get elevated from the practice squad for the Titans game
Matt Waletzko has only been here for two weeks, and he’ll be playing the swing tackle role in Week 16. The former fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft had his early career stunted by injuries, but the 6-8, 305-pound offensive tackle will get a rare opportunity to impress late in the season. He could definitely be part of the picture in 2026 if these next few weeks go well for him.
On the flip side, Chiefs fans won’t be thrilled to see Christiansen elevated, especially if it means that he’s getting snaps over rookie LB Jeffrey Bassa.