Kansas City Chiefs clear roster space by waiving Marcus Kemp

The Chiefs have created some roster space with the release of wideout Marcus Kemp.

The Kansas City Chiefs have created some roster space for themselves this week with the release of wide receiver Marcus Kemp on Wednesday. The Chiefs already had one open roster spot, so fans are left to wait and see who is coming in—likely further practice squad shifts that could mean the Chiefs debut of cornerback Deandre Baker.

Kemp has played in nearly every game this season for the Chiefs, although he’s been back and forth from the active roster to the practice squad a couple times. It’s likely that Kemp will be back to the active roster soon once again—unless, that is, wide receiver Byron Pringle is ready to come back from injured reserve.

Pringle was placed on injured reserve three weeks ago after suffering an ankle injury against the Las Vegas Raiders in late November and the Chiefs immediately shelved him on IR. The team might now be ready to swap out wideouts although the usage of both players doesn’t cancel the other out.

Kemp has only a single 11-yard catch for the Chiefs on the season, but he’s played in the majority of special teams reps. As for Pringle, he’s a kick returner who has turned into a trusted part of this offense. Against the Raiders, Pringle had 40 offensive snaps to go with 3 catches for 17 yards. In fact, Pringle had played a majority of the offensive snaps in three of the Chiefs last four games before his ankle injury.

As for Deandre Baker, the Chiefs signed him in mid-to-late November and hasn’t been seen since. He’s been stashed on the practice squad waiting for a chance to surface, and maybe this is that time.

Then again, no one knows for sure why the Chiefs are clearing roster space. We’re likely to learn on Wednesday as the team begins its week of practice for the New Orleans Saints on Sunday afternoon.