Charcandrick West released by Kansas City Chiefs
By Matt Conner
The Kansas City Chiefs have released veteran running back Charcandrick West, according to Ian Rapoport, on Wednesday.
The Kansas City Chiefs have eased the competition just a bit in their crowded backfield with the release of veteran Charcandrick West, per Ian Rapoport.
West has been dealing with effects of an early concussion all through the team’s training camp, which might have put him a bit behind the competition in what has been a loaded backfield for the Chiefs. West has returned to health in recent days enough to participate in practice, so it might help him be able to sign on soon with another team, but clearly the Chiefs were ready to part ways as they go in a new direction.
What this means for the Chiefs is that the situation behind Kareem Hunt is becoming a bit more clear, although there are still myriad questions ahead for the team. Damien Williams is likely safe as the team’s back-up and third down scatback, a solid pass-catcher out of the backfield. That’s the primary role that West has served in the last year for the Chiefs.
Still the Chiefs have a significant question in Spencer Ware—namely, whether or not the one-time starter is healthy enough to serve as a 1A option to Kareem Hunt’s lead role. Ware is coming off a season-ending injury suffered in training camp last year. Also in the mix is former Arizona Cardinals running back Kerwynn Williams, who should be in the conversation for kick returner and undrafted free agents Darrel Williams and Ray Lawry, who recently signed with the team.
The Chiefs will also gain $1.65 million in cap space after releasing West, which isn’t much on the grander scale, but a team with such thin financial margins will benefit from this sort of wiggle room.
As for West, he’s facing free agency for the first time since he first entered the league and went undrafted in 2014. Former general manager John Dorsey signed him as a rookie free agent and he earned an immediate spot with the team behind Jamaal Charles. From there, his role has ebbed and flowed over the years due to injury and competition.
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For his career, West has 266 rushes for 999 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns. He also has 75 catches for 552 yards and another 5 receiving touchdowns. His versatility should allow him to catch on with a new team, perhaps even the Indianapolis Colts or Cleveland Browns where front office personnel will be very familiar with what he can do.