KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs parted ways with three players from their 90-man roster on Monday, likely clearing the path for signing undrafted free agents ahead of this weekend’s rookie minicamp.
The team waived tight Anthony Firkser and nose tackle Mike Purcell. The club also terminated the contract of vested veteran cornerback Sheldon Price.
That leaves the Chiefs with 74 players under contract on the 90-man offseason roster. The six players selected during this past weekend’s NFL draft leaves up to 10 open roster spots for undrafted free agents.
Firkser and Purcell both joined the Chiefs practice squad in November and re-signed with the club in January. The Chiefs also signed Price in January. He had remained a free agent since October when Baltimore released him from injured reserve following a concussion.
The addition of third-round pick Derrick Nnadi gives the Chiefs six defensive tackles on the current roster. Firkser also likely found himself caught up in the roster number game. The Chiefs have five tight ends under contract, all with more experience than Firkser.
Price entered the league in 2013 as an undrafted free agent and played in six games for the Ravens and Indianapolis over two seasons. Each of his last three seasons ended on injured reserve. With the addition of sixth-round pick Tremon Smith, the Chiefs have nine cornerbacks under contract.
The team opens its three-day rookie minicamp on Saturday with practices scheduled through Monday. Undrafted free agent signees and dozens of players expect to participate in the camp on a tryout basis. Expected camp participants include Kansas State wide receiver Byron Pringle, Marshall quarterback Chase Litton and Tennessee linebacker Elliott Berry, the younger brother of Chiefs safety Eric Berry.
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Matt Derrick is the lead beat writer for ChiefsDigest.com. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @MattDerrick.
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