The Kansas City Chiefs returned to practice on Monday as they prepare for their last preseason game on Friday against the Chicago Bears.
There will be a lot of intrigue and interest surrounding this final exhibition game, as the starters will play. And it will be the last chance for vets on the bubble and rookies looking to make their case why they should make the 53-man roster.
However, not everyone will get that chance to play on Friday night, as the Chiefs placed former first-round pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah on injured reserve and parted ways with a rookie running back.
And before anyone asks, the rookie was not seventh-round pick Brashard Smith, who should have a role in the Chiefs’ backfield.
We have signed Free Agents DE Owen Carney and LB Xander Mueller.
We have place DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah on Reserve/Injured.
We have waived RB Elijah Young. pic.twitter.com/DdSCV10L6y
https://twitter.com/Chiefs/status/1957541418647384476?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Chiefs Send Rookie RB Elijah Young Packing After Two Preseason Games
On Monday afternoon, Kansas City announced that they’ve waived rookie Elijah Young. Young was signed as an undrafted free agent following the 2025 NFL Draft.
Given the amount of talent in the Chiefs’ backfield, the former Western Kentucky running back had a tall task ahead of him to make the 53-man roster. That said, the fact that Young made it through rookie minicamp, mandatory minicamp, OTAs, and training camp is still impressive.
The rookie running back played 17 total snaps (13 offensive) in the Chiefs’ preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals. However, he didn’t get a single carry and only had one target in the passing game.
In the Chiefs’ most recent game against the Seattle Seahawks, Young saw a decrease in his snap share (seven total with two on offense). The undrafted free agent only had two carries for 10 yards.
With Young getting cut now, it allows him to latch on to a different team to play in the final week of preseason. However, if the 5-foot-10, 198-pound running back doesn’t get signed, maybe he comes back to Kansas City via the practice squad.
Young had a solid college football career that started at Missouri (first three years) and finished at Western Kentucky (last two years). In his last year at WKU, Young posted 883 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 201 carries. He also added 47 receptions for 384 yards and two TDs.
With the UDFA out of the mix, it looks like the Chiefs’ RB room is set with Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, Elijah Mitchell, and Smith. Fullback Carson Steele will also make the roster, completing the Chiefs’ backfield.
