KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The deadline for setting the Chiefs' initial 53-man roster comes at 3 p.m. central time Saturday, and the Chiefs actually started their roster work early before Thursday's game, making a trade with the Dallas Cowboys in acquiring cornerback Charvarius Ward in exchange for offensive lineman Parker Ehinger.
General manager Brett Veach made another deal later Friday, adding safety Jordan Lucas from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for an undisclosed draft pick.
Track all of the Chiefs roster moves through Saturday afternoon here:
Offensive lineman Ryan Hunter waived, practice squad candidate
The Chiefs waived Bowling Green rookie Ryan Hunter, one the last moves in settling the offensive line picture. Hunter looks likely to sign with the practice squad if he clears waivers. The Chiefs appear ready to keep eight or nine offensive linemen, which includes Bryan Witzmann, Jordan Devey, Andrew Wylie and Kahlil McKenzie.
Chiefs waive QB Chase Litton, keep Matt McGloin
Litton and McGloin fought throughout training camp and the preseason for the No. 3 job, and it looks like McGloin has won the battle for now. ESPN's Adam Teicher first reported McGloin made the 53-man roster. Now a source tells ChiefsDigest.com the club waived Litton but hopes he clears waivers to land on the practice squad.
LB Ukeme Eligwe waived by Chiefs
The club began to filter through its logjam at inside linebacker by waiving Ukeme Eligwe, a source confirmed to ChiefsDigest.com. The Chiefs selected Eligwe in the fifth-round of the 2017 draft. The Chiefs have Terrance Smith and rookies Dorian O'Daniel and Ben Niemann in the mix at the position along with starters Anthony Hitchens and Reggie Ragland. Eligwe became the odd man out for now.
Chiefs re-sign safety Ron Parker
It took less than a day for former Chiefs safety Ron Parker to return Kansas City following his release from the Atlanta Falcons. The veteran defensive back agreed to terms Saturday, per source. The addition adds more intrigue and concerns about the club's safety group, however. He joins a group that currently includes Eric Berry, Daniel Sorensen, Eric Murray, Leon McQuay, Armani Watts and Jordan Lucas. More moves at safety appear likely Saturday afternoon.
Chiefs move on from CB David Amerson
The Chiefs most surprising move of the day comes with the decision to move on from veteran corner David Amerson. He spent the offseason program and most of training camp and the preseason as the team's nickel back. But struggled in preseason games opened the door for his departure. The Chiefs have added veteran corner Orlando Scandrick via free agency and traded for rookie corner Charvarius Ward on Thursday. They join Kendall Fuller, Steven Nelson and Tremon Smith. But don't be surprised if the Chiefs made another addition before or after the initial 53-man roster is set.
Amerson accounts for $625,000 in dead cap space against the cap with signing and workout bonuses. The Chiefs save his $1 million in case salary, resulting in a net savings of $520,000 against the cap.
Byron Pringle headed to injured reserve
Former Kansas State wide receiver Byron Pringle will head to injured reserve, a source confirmed to ChiefsDigest.com. Pringle suffered the injury during Thursday's preseason finale. Head coach Andy Reid indicated on Friday that the injury appeared severe. It's a bad break for the former Wildcat, but it does provide him an opportunity to rehab with the team and in a good situation for the 2019 season.
Chiefs waive WR Gehrig Dieter
Dieter spent last season on the practice squad. He turned in a solid training camp but appeared to remain just behind Marcus Kemp and De'Anthony Thomas in the bid for wide receiver spots. Jehu Chesson remains the other receiver on the roster bubble.
RB Darrel Williams makes initial 53-man roster
DL Dee Liner waived, another practice squad candidate
The Chiefs have waived undrafted rookie free agent defensive lineman Dee Liner, a source confirms. The Arkansas State defender appears a likely candidate for the practice squad if he clears waivers.
LB Robert McCray prospect for practice squad
The Chiefs have waived McCray, a rookie free agent from Tennessee, a sourced confirmed to Chiefs Digest. The team has strong interest in signing him to the practice squad if he clears waivers.
McCray had a strong camp and preseason, including showing solid pass rushing skills. With Frank Zombo gone, the Chiefs can use depth on the practice squad with the injury histories for Justin Houston and Dee Ford.
Chiefs release veteran LB Frank Zombo
Zombo played just 11 snaps in the preseason, which put the writing on the wall regarding his future with the team. The 31-year-old Zombo is mostly a run-stopper at this point, and the Chiefs have invested deeply in edge rushers Breeland Speaks and Tanoh Kpassagnon. Numbers did not appear there to keep a fifth outside backer, especially with a lot of depth at inside linebacker.
Zombo carried a $1.376 million cap hit this season with a dead cap number of around $200,000. The move should net the Chiefs approximately $700,000 in free cap space.
CB Arrion Springs waived
The Chiefs have waived undrafted rookie free agent cornerback Arrion Springs, per source. The club hopes to land him back on the practice squad if he clears waivers.
The additions of cornerback Charvarius Ward from Dallas, safety Jordan Lucas from Miami and free agent Orlando Scandrick likely caught Springs in a numbers game. He had a strong camp and preseason, and can play multiple positions including safety.
WR Daniel Braverman, ILB Raymond Davison waived
Braverman joined the Chiefs practice squad last season and remains a strong propsect. Davison is a rookie free agent from California who looked good in limited opportunities, but the Chiefs have a lot of depth inside.
RB Ray Lawry Tweets apparent release
CB Keith Reaser released
S Jordan Lucas acquired from Dolphins
Veach made another waiver deal, sending an undisclosed draft pick to Miami for special teams safety Jordan Lucas. This move actually bumps the Chiefs back up to 89 players on the roster. The addition of Lucas makes it appear likely the Chiefs keep 11 defensive backs on the initial roster.
LB Otha Peters waived
Reserve inside linebacker Otha Peters announced on Twitter that the team waived him on Friday. That leaves the Chiefs roster at 88 players. The club originally signed Peters in late July to add depth to an inside linebacker crew afflicted with injuries. He picked up three tackles in three preseason games.
Chiefs trade Parker Ehinger for cornerback Charvarius Ward
Veach set the tone last season when he acquired offensive lineman Cameron Erving ahead of the waiver wire deadline, and he made a similar move Thursday, picking up Ward for Ehinger.
Demetrius Harris suspended for Week 1
The Chiefs already know one move they must make with Harris suspended for his guilty plea stemming from a marijuana arrest in March 2017. The club must add Harris to the suspended list, and he will not count toward the 53-man roster limit during Week 1.
