Aug. 28, 2015; Kansas City, MO; Chiefs coach Andy Reid observes pregame warm-ups for the preseason game against the Tennessee Titans at Arrowhead Stadium. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Chiefs started the process Saturday morning to pare the current 75-player roster to reach the NFL-mandated initial 53-man roster by 3 p.m. CT.
The Chiefs waived rookie offensive lineman Garrett Frye, a source familiar with the transaction confirmed with ChiefsDigest.com. The source spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Chiefs haven’t announced the transaction.
Meanwhile, annual cuts are never an easy chore before the start of the regular season.
The wide receiver position will arguably provide agonizing choices for general manager John Dorsey and coach Andy Reid.
Reid offered a view of the position group when it comes to the active roster.
“Normally, you’re somewhere around that 5 or 6 number,” Reid said during Friday’s media conference call. “We’ll just have to see, some of that comes down to special teams and how you handle that. Again, you have to kind of weigh it out and see where you’re at.”
Wide receivers Jeremy Maclin, Albert Wilson, Jason Avant, Chris Conley and De’Anthony Thomas are virtual locks, leaving one spot available if the Chiefs keep six.
That means Frankie Hammond Jr., Fred Williams and rookie Da’Ron Brown are battling for one potential remaining roster spot.
Other position groups likely to cause angst are the offensive line, defensive line and defensive secondary.
The Chiefs can set the 10-man practice squad starting at 11 a.m. CT on Sunday.
A running tracker of independently confirmed roster transactions will be updated here:
• Update, 3:43 p.m.: The Chiefs waived defensive tackle Hebron Fangupo, according to a source, who confirmed the transaction on the condition of anonymity. The 6-0, 324-pound Fangupo is a candidate for the practice squad if he clears waivers.
• Update, 3 p.m.: The Chiefs are waiving center Eric Kush, a source confirms on the condition of anonymity. The 6-4, 313-pound Kush began training camp working with the first-team offense until rookie Mitch Morse overtook Kush for the starting job.
• Update, 2:40 p.m.: The Chiefs are waiving offensive lineman Jarrod Pughsley, according to a source, who confirmed the transaction on the condition of anonymity. The 6-4, 310-pound Pughsley enjoyed a strong training camp, even seeing time with the first-team offense at right tackle, and his versatility could bring him back to the practice squad.
• Update, 1:45 p.m.: The Chiefs are waiving rookie wide receiver Da’Ron Brown, a source confirmed on the condition of anonymity. Brown, the Chiefs’ seventh-round pick in May’s NFL Draft, totaled seven catches for 67 yards and a touchdown during the preseason.
• Update, 12:37 p.m.: The Chiefs are waiving linebacker Ja’Gared Davis, according to a source, who confirmed the transaction on the condition of anonymity. Davis had four solo tackles in the preseason finale against the St. Louis Rams.
• Update, 11:58 a.m.: The Chiefs waived cornerback Kevin Short, a source confirmed on the condition of anonymity. Short originally joined the team after going undrafted during the NFL Supplemental Draft.
• Update, 10:46 a.m.: The Chiefs waived fullback Spencer Ware, a source confirmed on the condition of anonymity. Ware, a versatile second-year pro who can play fullback and tailback, scored a touchdown in the preseason finale.
• Update, 10:43 a.m.: The Chiefs waived rookie offensive lineman Daniel Munyer, according to a source, who confirmed the transaction on the condition of anonymity. Munyer, an undrafted free agent out of Colorado, is a versatile lineman who can play center and guard. He started the preseason finale at left guard.
• Update, 10:16 a.m.: The Chiefs waived wide receiver Fred Williams, according to a source, who confirmed the transaction on the condition of anonymity. Williams led the Chiefs in preseason action with 15 catches for 167 yards and three touchdowns. He is a candidate for the practice squad, provided he makes it through waivers.
• Rookie offensive lineman Garrett Frye, who offers versatility at center and tackle, is a prime candidate for the practice squad.
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Herbie Teope is the lead Chiefs beat writer for ChiefsDigest.com and The Topeka Capital-Journal. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @HerbieTeope.
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