The Kansas City Chiefs have had two punters — incumbent Matt Araiza and undrafted rookie Eddie Czaplicki — at this year’s training camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph. Last week, assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Dave Toub explained that the team’s optimal health situation was allowing the contest to extend into the early part of camp.
Unfortunately, as the pads came on for the second week of camp, injuries have surfaced. On Wednesday, wide receivers Hollywood Brown (ankle), Skyy Moore (hamstring), and Xavier Worthy (concussion protocol) were all sidelined. With wideout numbers dwindling (at least temporarily), UFL reporter James Larsen reported on X that the Chiefs would be signing receiver Kwamie Lassiter II. Lassiter recently played for the UFL’s Memphis Showboats.
While Wednesday’s NFL transactions report did not make Lassiter’s signing official, it did confirm that the Chiefs have opened a place on the 90-man roster for him by waiving Czaplicki, whom the team signed out of USC in April.
Barring injury, it appears Araiza is set for a second season as Kansas City’s punter. He joined the Chiefs last season after sitting out the two previous seasons while he navigated a legal situation. Although he has almost unparalleled kicking power, Araiza frequently had difficulty with the precision needed to pin opponents deep on punts. Presumably, the Chiefs are satisfied with the improvements Araiza has made while competing with Czaplicki.
The Chiefs’ newest wideout is the son of cornerback Kwamie Lassiter, who began a 10-year NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals in 1995. The younger Lassiter played at Kansas, originally entering the NFL in 2022 with the Cincinnati Bengals. He recorded a single reception for two yards in 2023.
Lassiter may not be the only addition the Chiefs make before they return to the practice field on Friday. Four members of the secondary also missed Wednesday’s practice. Along with Lassiter, Kansas City hosted four defensive backs for workouts on Wednesday, including former Minnesota Vikings cornerback Harrison Hand. Former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Kawaan Baker also tried out.
