Chiefs place Richie James on injured reserve, elevate 2 players from practice squad
The Kansas City Chiefs made one 53-man roster move and two practice squad elevations ahead of their Week 3 tilt with the Chicago Bears. After suffering an MCL injury in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, WR Richie James is being placed on injured reserve. James will miss a minimum of the next four games […]
The Kansas City Chiefs made one 53-man roster move and two practice squad elevations ahead of their Week 3 tilt with the Chicago Bears.
After suffering an MCL injury in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, WR Richie James is being placed on injured reserve. James will miss a minimum of the next four games against the Bears, Jets, Vikings, and Broncos before he'll be eligible to be designated to return from injured reserve.
James was the team's starting kick returner and punt returner, and they've already gone about securing a replacement. Just as we suggested, the Chiefs' solution to this problem was found on the practice squad.
Kansas City elevated WR Montrell Washington and LB Cole Christiansen from the practice squad.
Washington played kick and punt returner for the Denver Broncos in 2022. He's currently the team's most experienced player with 32 punt returns for 271 yards and 18 kick returns for 340 yards last season. Despite Dave Toub naming players like Justin Watson, Skyy Moore, Isiah Pacheco, and Rashee Rice as options, expect Washington to handle kick return duties moving forward.
Christiansen's elevation does not bode well for LB Willie Gay Jr., who is listed as questionable for Sunday with a quad contusion. If Gay Jr. is out and Christiansen is active, that means Drue Tranquill, Leo Chenal, Jack Cochrane, Cam Jones, and Christiansen would be the team's only linebackers.
Despite reports of RB Isiah Pacheco being a game-time decision, the practice squad elevations suggest that he'll be good to play despite being listed as questionable with a hamstring contusion. The team only has Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon on the 53-man roster, so if Pacheco weren't likely to play, La'Mical Perine would be a likely call-up.
The Chiefs technically have a free spot on the 53-man roster after James' addition to the injured reserve list. They've elected to keep that spot free for Week 3 against the Bears. Perhaps what they learn in this game will dictate how they use that last spot.
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