Chiefs release De’Anthony Thomas to make room for Kyle Shurmur

The Kansas City Chiefs released special teamer De’Anthony Thomas on Tuesday to make room for the promotion of Kyle Shurmur from the practice squad.

The Kansas City Chiefs announced several roster moves on Tuesday, including the release of wide receiver/special teams ace De’Anthony Thomas.

Thomas has been on a bit of a roller coaster for Kansas City in 2019, as he was cut and re-signed over the course of the year, now only to be cut again.

The move became necessary with the knee injury sustained by Patrick Mahomes during the Chiefs contest versus the Broncos in Week 7. The injury forced the team to call up rookie quarterback Kyle Shurmur from the practice squad to backup Matt Moore until Mahomes returns.

Kansas City drafted Thomas in the fourth round of the 2014 draft after being a star college player at Oregon. The Chiefs always envisioned DAT as a gadget type player, but he never excelled in that role and ultimately had minimal impact on the offense, totaling 65 catches for 509 yards and four touchdowns in five-plus seasons.

However, he continued to earn a living with the team by standing out on special teams, specifically kickoff and punt returns. While rarely a threat to score (one touchdown in 143 career returns), Thomas was consistent, posting a respectable 24.5 yard per return average as a kick returner.

In DAT’s absence, fans should expect to see special team’s coach Dave Toub turn to rookie Mecole Hardman to handle the lion’s share of the return duties from now through the foreseeable future. It’s always possible that the team brings back Thomas when Mahomes returns from injury, and the team (likely) demotes Shurmur back to the practice squad.