The Kansas City Chiefs might introduce a new obstacle for Andrew Armstrong very soon. For now, however, his path to helping out the team's wide receiver room seems as clear as it's going to be for the 2026 season.
Armstrong is presently waiting in the wings on the Chiefs' practice squad, which is where he's been since he was waived at the NFL's roster deadline and subsequently re-signed. But after watching the Chiefs' injury report gain two new names from the same position, it makes sense that Armstrong would find his way to the active roster soon enough.
The need in the WR room
The Chiefs watched Rashee Rice leave the game with a hamstring injury while making a seven-yard catch in the first half of the team's Week 4 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Rice kept his helmet on at first, which indicated that he might be able to return to the field of play. But Rice was held out of the entire game, and his hamstring concern could linger beyond the team's bye in Week 5.
During the same game, Tyquan Thornton suffered a dislocated ankle late in the fourth quarter after making a tremendous 55-yard catch. His estimated recovery time was placed between 12 and 16 weeks, and while he might be able to come back for a postseason run, there's a clear need for immediate help in the Chiefs' passing game.
Why Andrew Armstrong is an obvious candidate
It makes sense, especially in the wake of Thornton's loss and the uncertainty around Rice, that the Chiefs would at least seek some immediate, internal measure to shore up the depth chart. That points to either Armstrong or fellow practice squad member Omari Evans as the easiest calls. Armstrong makes the most sense given how impressive he looked in preseason play—with some fans wanting him over returner Nikko Remigio on the active roster to begin with.
Armstrong came to the Chiefs late in 2025 on a reserve/futures deal and surprised with a strong preseason showing. He had a late-season audition with the Detroit Lions in '25, his rookie year, but before that, he'd earned a short summer stint with the Miami Dolphins after going unselected in the '25 draft. Perhaps he's found extra motivation as a lifelong Chiefs fan with family members who live just minutes from Arrowhead Stadium.
Armstrong came to the NFL after leading the SEC in receiving yards with the Arkansas Razorbacks in 2024, when he caught 78 passes for 1,140 yards. In Chiefs training camp in St. Joseph, Missouri, Armstrong looked like an excellent end zone target with impressive length. He also made some head-turning blocks that had fans hungry to see what he could do with real reps.
Windows in the NFL open and shut rather quickly, so it's possible that Armstrong's opportunity is short-lived. Rice could get a clean bill of health without missing a game. General manager Brett Veach could sign someone or make a trade before the Chiefs get back to work in Week 6. Anything is possible. But what makes sense is for K.C. to at least bolster the roster by looking internally, and that makes Armstrong a name to watch.
Add us as a preferred source on Google