Kansas City Chiefs face pivotal training camp decision that could determine one 2024 draft pick's initial 53-man roster chances

The Chiefs selected TE Jared Wiley out of TCU in the fourth round (131st overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft. He appeared in just seven games last season, recording a single catch for seven yards before suffering a non-contact ACL injury in practice in November. Wiley has been a limited participant during OTAs and mandatory minicamp this offseason, notably wearing a pretty heavy-duty brace on his injured knee. 

"I think we're going to be okay there," Chiefs HC Andy Reid said when asked about Wiley's status for training camp in mid-June. "He got some work here the last couple of days. So, I think we'll be fine there."

What happens if Rick Burkholder and company deem Wiley isn't ready, or if he's unable to complete the conditioning test? If the second-year tight end is placed on the Active/PUP list, he will count toward the 90-man roster. He can be removed from the list at any point during camp, but he's not able to be placed back on the list if he's removed. The key here is that being on the Active/PUP list during roster cuts makes you eligible for the Reserve/PUP list. If he's placed on the Reserve/PUP list during roster cuts, Wiley won't initially count toward the 53-man roster. He can participate in team meetings and use facilities for rehab, but he is not allowed to participate in practice for four weeks. After four weeks, the Chiefs can open Wiley's 21-day practice window, during which period they can activate him to the 53-man roster at any time. If he's not activated, he'll remain on the injured reserve list. 

Should the Chiefs place Wiley on the Active/PUP list to start training camp, it would give the team a lot more options heading into the season. If a veteran like Robert Tonyan and a rookie like Jake Briningstool impress during training camp, it would give the team the flexibility to keep those two on the 53-man roster and ease Wiley back into action after a significant knee injury. 

Conversely, if someone were to be hurt in the tight end room, they could easily activate Wiley from the Active/PUP list during training camp. That is, of course, if he's fully healed from the knee injury and ready to get back on the field. Ultimately, the Chiefs' decision here may come down to strategy and injury precaution. After all, a midseason ACL injury doesn't necessarily guarantee that he'll be back to himself by Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season.