KANSAS CITY, Mo.— The Kansas City Chiefs trimmed their roster down to the mandatory 53-player limit on Sunday, executing a flurry of transactions that included a trade for rookie offensive tackle Diego Pounds, releasing several high-profile veterans, and placing key defenders on reserve lists.
The headline move of cutdown day saw Kansas City bolster its offensive line depth by acquiring Pounds from the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a conditional 2028 sixth-round draft pick.The 6-foot-6, 325-pound tackle out of Ole Miss went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft despite a stellar collegiate career in which he started 24 games and surrendered just two sacks.Pounds continued to impress during the preseason with Baltimore, allowing zero pressures across 26 pass-blocking snaps.
To make room for incoming talent and meet the 53-man threshold, the Chiefs made notable cuts across the depth chart. Kansas City terminated the contracts of four vested veterans: cornerbacks Kaiir Elam and Kader Kohou, linebacker Cole Christiansen, and veteran pass rusher Emmanuel Ogbah.
Additionally, defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott was placed on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, while wide receiver Jimmy Holiday was moved to Reserve/Injured.
Here is a look at the initial 53-man roster and the full breakdown of Sunday’s roster decisions.
Kansas City Chiefs Initial 53-Man Roster
- Quarterback (3): Justin Fields, Patrick Mahomes, Garrett Nussmeier
- Running Back (3): Emmett Johnson, Brashard Smith, Ken Walker
- Wide Receiver (6): Cyrus Allen, Nikko Remigio, Rashee Rice, Jalen Royals, Tyquan Thornton, Xavier Worthy
- Tight End (4): Jake Briningstool, Noah Gray, Travis Kelce, Jared Wiley
- Offensive Line (10): Kahlil Benson, Mike Caliendo, Josh Ezeudu, Creed Humphrey, Jaylon Moore, Hunter Nourzad, Diego Pounds, Josh Simmons, Trey Smith, Kingsley Suamataia
- Defensive Line (8): Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Ashton Gillotte, Marcus Harris, Chris Jones, George Karlaftis, R Mason Thomas, Khyiris Tonga, Peter Woods
- Linebacker (5): Jeffrey Bassa, Nick Bolton, Jack Cochrane, Cooper McDonald, Drue Tranquill
- Defensive Back (11): Jadon Canady, Chamarri Conner, Mansoor Delane, Kristian Fulton, Alohi Gilman, Jaden Hicks, Kevin Knowles, Xavier Nwankpa, Chris Roland-Wallace, L’Jarius Sneed, Nohl Williams
- Specialists (3): Matt Araiza (P), Harrison Butker (K), James Winchester (LS)
Summary of Roster Transactions
Traded For:
- Diego Pounds (T, Ole Miss) — Acquired from Baltimore Ravens for a conditional 2028 6th-round pick
Vested Veterans Released:
- Cole Christiansen (LB, Army)
- Kaiir Elam (CB, Florida)
- Kader Kohou (CB, Texas A&M-Commerce)
- Emmanuel Ogbah (DE, Oklahoma State)
Reserve Lists:
- Omarr Norman-Lott (DT, Tennessee) — Reserve/PUP
- Jimmy Holiday (WR, Louisiana Tech) — Reserve/Injured
Waived Players:
Vincent Anthony (DE), Kam Arnold (LB), Andrew Armstrong (WR), Wesley Bissainthe (LB), Cole Brevard (DT), Jason Brownlee (WR), Jacob De Jesus (WR), Emari Demercado (RB), Ethan Driskell (T), Omari Evans (WR), Chukwuebuka Godrick (T), Ethan Hurkett (DE), Cam Jones (LB), Niles King (DE), Xavier Loyd (WR), Tanner McCalister (S), Amari McNeill (DT), Pete Nygra (C), Jaydn Ott (RB), Damon Payne (DT), D’Arco Perkins-McAllister (CB), Mason Pline (TE), Esa Pole (T), DeShon Singleton (S), Melvin Smith (CB), Tyreke Smith (DE), Josh Thompson (G), Zelmar Vedder (CB), Tre Watson (TE), Jeff Weimer (WR).
Waived with Injury Designations:
- C.J. Hanson (G, Holy Cross)
- Chris Oladokun (QB, South Dakota State)
- EJ Smith (RB, Texas A&M)
Note: The initial 53-man roster remains subject to change over the coming days as waiver claims are processed across the league and practice squad rosters are constructed.
