KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs placed wide receiver Richie James on injured reserve Saturday, ensuring he will miss at least the next four games due to an MCL injury in his knee.
The club also elevated linebacker Cole Christiansen and wide receiver Montrell Washington from the practice squad for Sunday’s contest against the Chicago Bears.
James played 26 offensive snaps through the first two games of the season with one catch for 6 yards on three targets. He also served as the team’s punt and kick return specialist, averaging 4 yards on six punt returns and returning one kickoff for 14 yards.
Washington is a likely candidate to fill in for James as the return specialist on Sunday. He was a fifth-round draft pick for the Denver in 2022, and last season averaged 8.5 yards on 32 punt returns along with 18.9 yards on 18 kick returns as a rookie. He was waived by the Broncos Aug. 29 during the roster reduction to 53 players and two days later signed with the Chiefs practice squad.
The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Washington ran a 4.48 40-yard time during his college pro day with Sanford.
Christiansen is a third-year veteran who spent most of last season on the Chiefs practice squad, playing in one game with 18 snaps on special teams. He will likely take the game-day spot on the roster of Nick Bolton, who was ruled out by the club on Friday due to an ankle injury. Drue Tranquill will start in Bolton’s place at middle linebacker but Christiansen can pick up the special teams work usually filled by Tranquill, who played 23 snaps on teams during the first two games.
James landing on injured reserve leaves the Chiefs with 52 players on the active roster. They will have six inactive players on Sunday. In addition to ruling out Bolton, the Chiefs listed as questionable running back Isiah Pacheco (hamstring), linebacker Willie Gay (quad) and receiver Kadarius Toney (toe).
