The Kansas City Chiefs were anticipating a few roster moves in the wake of recent transactions and the return of defensive lineman Charles Omenihu from suspension. On Thursday, we learned those roster-clearing moves will send defensive tackle Keondre Coburn and wide receiver Montrell Washington to the waiver wire.
As the Chiefs prepare to host the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday afternoon in Week 7, they'll be glad to add some reinforcements on both sides of the ball. On offense, the team just traded for wide receiver Mecole Hardman from the New York Jets in a move that reunites the fifth-year vet with the team that drafted him. On defense, the return of Omenihu crowded out the picture along the defensive line.
For those worried about the loss of both players, it's likely safe to assume the Chiefs front office will want both players back on the practice squad. However, both must clear waivers in the next 24 hours to know that for sure.
Coburn is the bigger name here as the team's sixth-round pick. The Chiefs grabbed Coburn as a run-stuffer out of the University of Texas to help bolster a position that's gone overlooked or under-invested in the last few seasons. However, Coburn has yet to really make his presence felt and found himself passed over on the depth chart by journeyman Matt Dickerson.
As for Washington, he was a fifth-round selection of the Denver Broncos a year ago but ended up released this summer before active rosters were due. The Chiefs signed him to the practice squad in September and elevated him to the active roster. From there, Washington had taken over as the Chiefs' primary returner.
At this juncture, it looks as if Hardman could take over those return duties from Washington and help provide some security at wide receiver where Justin Watson has been injured. Andy Reid doesn't think Watson will go on IR, but he could still miss a couple of games, at least. As for Omenihu, the Chiefs will ease him into a workload given his late start to the year, and see how he adjusts.