Kansas City Chiefs' latest roster moves are just the appetizer ahead of the main course soon to come during 53-man roster cuts

The Kansas City Chiefs have made a handful of roster moves ahead of their preseason finale against the Chicago Bears.

With some injuries throughout the roster, the Chiefs needed to make roster moves with preseason Week 3 in mind. While starters are expected to play on Friday, they've got a lot of snaps that need to be eaten throughout three quarters of an exhibition game. Any substantial moves that could have some impact on the active roster in 2025 will almost certainly come at a later date via free agency, trade, or the waiver wire system during 53-man roster cuts.

With all of that in mind, let's get into the latest moves for the team.

Chiefs place DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah on injured reserve and waive RB Elijah Young

The Chiefs have officially placed former 2023 first-round draft pick, DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, on injured reserve. Andy Reid revealed that this move was coming ahead of practice on Monday, after Anudike-Uzomah suffered a hamstring injury in preseason Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks.

Just like S Deon Bush and DE Janarius Robinson, this transaction means that Anudike-Uzomah's 2025 NFL season is likely over because he was placed on injured reserve ahead of the 53-man deadline. Up to two players can be designated to return if they're placed on IR during roster cuts. The only way the team could get him back during the year is to reach an injury settlement and sign him back to the practice squad or 53-man roster, which probably won't happen when you're on a first-round contract.

As for the other move, this was something that was expected to happen on Aug. 26, during the 53-man roster cut deadline. Elijah Young, an undrafted free agent out of Western Kentucky, was waived. He received a partially guaranteed contract, yet was unable to really find his footing or place in Kansas City. He played 24 total snaps during the first two weeks of the preseason, recording four carries for 15 yards.

Chiefs sign DE Owen Carney and LB Xander Mueller in corresponding roster moves

These two moves probably won't get anyone in Chiefs Kingdom particularly excited, but these are more about Friday, Aug. 22 than they are about Sept. 5. The Chiefs have a preseason Week 3 game to get through, and one that will likely mimic preseason Week 1 in the sense that the starters will play some snaps, but not too many.

Owen Carney returns to Kansas City after spending about a month during the 2024 NFL offseason with the Chiefs. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 275 pounds, Carney started 28 games for the Illinois Fighting Illini during his collegiate career. He had 116 total tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, 16 sacks, three passes batted, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery during that span. He had a sack against Lions QB Hendon Hooker during the 2024 NFL preseason, so the Chiefs know all too well what he's capable of.

Xander Mueller is an undrafted free agent linebacker out of Northwestern who had a rookie minicamp invite with both the Green Bay Packers and Washington Commanders. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, Mueller appeared in 46 games with the Wildcats from 2020 through 2024. He recorded 273 combined tackles, 28 tackles for loss, nine sacks, six interceptions, eight passes defended, two fumble recoveries, and three forced fumbles during that span.

Chiefs tryout LB David Gbenda and LB Ryan Meed

Mueller wasn't the only linebacker trying out for Kansas City on Monday. Former Texas LB David Gbenda and former Illinois LB Ryan Meed both had tryouts with the team. Gbenda spent time with the Tennessee Titans this offseason and was waived-injured recently. He appeared in 62 games with the Longhorns, recording 166 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble, four pass breakups, and two interceptions. The 6-foot-1, 230-pound Meed was invited to the Eagles' rookie minicamp after a breakout senior season and impressive performance at his pro day.