Kansas City Chiefs 53-man roster projection leaves Carlos Hyde out

Running Backs

On The Active Roster: Damien Williams, Darwin Thompson, Darrel Williams, Anthony Sherman

Practice Squad: Tremon Smith

Cut: Carlos Hyde, Marcus Marshall

I feel like Saturday’s preseason game gave fans a definitive look at how the position will play out this season, perhaps more than any other position. Damien Williams had barely sniffed the field through the first two preseason games and some in the fanbase were starting to wonder just how secure his starting role was. Meanwhile, rookie Darwin Thompson was looking fantastic in preseason action but had still been running behind veteran Carlos Hyde.

All that changed on Saturday. Damien Williams looked just as explosive and worthy of starting as he broke a long touchdown run. The Chiefs also finally acknowledged what we already knew which was that Hyde just isn’t cutting it and they are better off playing the younger guys. It was especially significant that Darrel Williams played ahead of him as well. Williams is younger, cheaper, and plays on special teams units so he makes much more sense than Hyde as a third running back.

While I don’t see any way Tremon Smith makes the team, I do think they may give him a shot on the practice squad to continue to learn the offense and as insurance should they have kick return issues. Marcus Marshall could be a practice squad option, but I think they’d prefer to give those scout team reps to Smith to try and learn the position. I wish Hyde had showed enough promise that the Chiefs might have been able to trade him to a running back needy team, but at this point I think all they can do is cut their losses and move on.

I could have done a separate page for fullback, but Anthony Sherman is the man there. Period.