The Kansas City Chiefs brought in a long list of practice squad tryouts on the morning of August 28. At first, it was reported that only half of the tryouts had signed, but later it was revealed that all six tryouts would be joining the KC practice squad after all.
Those new additions were running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, defensive tackle Zacch Pickens, defensive tackle Brodric Martin, defensive end Ethan Downs, defensive end Tyreke Smith, and free safety Jammie Robinson.
With six signings joining the Chiefs‘ practice squad rather than three, Kansas City had to clear three spots. They did so by cutting two undrafted rookies and promoting tight end Robert Tonyan to the 53-man roster in place of suspended wide receiver Rashee Rice.
TE Robert Tonyan to Chiefs‘ 53,” KSHB 41 beat reporter Nick Jacobs relayed on August 28. Adding later that “KC has terminated the PS contracts of DT Coziah Izzard and WR Hal Presley.”
This report was also confirmed by A-to-Z Sports Kansas City’s Charles Goldman.
Izzard and Presley were both undrafted rookies who spent training camp with the Chiefs. Neither was ever really in the running for a 53-man roster spot, but they had impressed enough to make the initial practice squad.
Unfortunately, once KC brought in a few veterans from outside of the organization, Izzard and Presley were the first to go.
Robert Tonyan Makes Chiefs’ 53-Man Roster, Officially
Chiefs fans were calling for it all week, and on August 28, it finally happened: Tonyan was promoted to the 53-man roster.
Tonyan was, without a doubt, one of the Chiefs‘ best players throughout August.
Over three preseason outings, the former Green Bay Packers starter caught 8 of his 9 targets for 90 receiving yards and 1 touchdown. He also looked great, somehow finding the fountain of youth at age 31.
Calling up Tonyan felt like the obvious move after the Rice news, and sometimes NFL teams agree with the fans. This is one of those times, as the popular journeyman tight end has earned a Week 1 role.
Chiefs Reinforce Specific Positions With New Practice Squad Signings
The Chiefs clearly wanted to bolster their depth at certain positions when they brought in — and eventually signed — these six players on August 28.
The first area that they clearly wanted to reinforce was defensive tackle. In moving on from veteran Mike Pennel and Izzard, Kansas City has brought in three DTs over the past week. First, they reunited with Derrick Nnadi via trade, followed by the Pickens and Martin signings.
Both Pickens and Martin are former third-round draft picks, so perhaps there’s some untapped potential there for defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and his staff to unlock.
The Chiefs also targeted the defensive end position, which was hit hard by injury this summer. Former first-round pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah was lost for the season, as was veteran addition Janarius Robinson.
Similarly, KC lost safety/special teamer Deon Bush to a season-ending injury, hence the Jammie Robinson signing. The former fifth-round draft pick of the Carolina Panthers logged over 360 special teams snaps throughout his first two NFL seasons.
Finally, Edwards-Helaire supplies some RB depth with built-in knowledge of the Chiefs‘ offensive system and playbook. That should be invaluable, let’s say any of the backs in front of him pick up injuries.
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