The Kansas City Chiefs made another roster change ahead of the NFL’s final cutdown deadline, parting ways with a promising rookie wide receiver after an injury late in training camp.
Kansas City announced Monday that it waived wide receiver Jeff Caldwell with an injury designation and signed free-agent defensive end Niles King to take his spot on the roster.
The move comes after Caldwell suffered a left leg injury during practice on August 19. The 23-year-old had drawn attention since joining Kansas City as an undrafted free agent following the 2026 NFL Draft.
Chiefs Make Decision on Jeff Caldwell After Practice Injury
Caldwell’s injury occurred during a team period at practice, according to Chiefs Digest reporter Matt Derrick.
“Chiefs WR Jeff Caldwell in the training tent getting an exam in his left leg,” Derrick wrote on X. “Took a hit during the last play in team period and was in immediate pain, gingerly putting weight on left side.”
Derrick later reported, “Jeff Caldwell heading up the hill for further examination.”
The Chiefs have now waived Caldwell with an injury designation. If he clears waivers without being claimed by another NFL team, he will revert to Kansas City’s injured reserve list. The Chiefs could later release him with an injury settlement.
Caldwell entered the NFL after an impressive pre-draft testing period. The 6-foot-5, 216-pound receiver ran the 40-yard dash in 4.31 seconds.
He began his college career at Lindenwood, earning first-team all-conference honors in each of his final two seasons there. Caldwell later transferred to Cincinnati and earned honorable mention All-Big 12 recognition during his lone season with the Bearcats.
His injury came during a summer in which several Chiefs receivers dealt with health concerns, including Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Cyrus Allen and Tyquan Thornton.
Chiefs Add Niles King to Bolster Defense Ahead of Final Cuts
We have waived WR Jeff Caldwell with an injury designation.
Kansas City moved quickly to fill Caldwell’s roster spot by signing Niles King.
King entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent after playing at San Diego State. He initially signed with the Los Angeles Chargers following the 2026 NFL Draft but was released by Kansas City’s AFC West rival weeks later.
The defensive end recorded 30 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks during his final college season. King now gets another NFL opportunity just as the Chiefs prepare to make their final roster decisions.
The timing gives King a limited window to make an impression. Kansas City has one preseason game remaining before the organization must settle on its initial 53-man roster.
For Caldwell, the next step depends on whether another team submits a waiver claim. If he goes unclaimed, he will return to the Chiefs on injured reserve while Kansas City determines what comes next.
Chiefs Cut Ties With Promising Rookie WR After Injury News