Recent Chiefs WR Now Available Again After Reported Roster Cut
The Kansas City Chiefs could have another practice squad option at wide receiver following tonight’s preseason finale and the 53-man roster cutdown on August 26.
On August 22, just after their third preseason outing, it was reported by The Athletic’s Dan Duggan that the New York Giants will be cutting wide receiver/returner Montrell Washington.
Duggan also noted that Washington “was an early camp star” with the Giants, and by all accounts, the former KC wideout was having a really strong summer despite the roster cut news.
“The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Washington has put together quite the highlight reel in recent days, working with [Jaxson] Dart and the second-team offense and pulling off catches from the routine to the spectacular,” NorthJersey.com Giants beat reporter Art Stapleton wrote on August 6. “In Monday’s session, working out of the slot, Washington sprinted past nickel corner Nic Jones [another former Chief] on an angle route to the sideline. Dart put the ball where only Washington could get it, but it took a leap and a one-handed grab to finish the play.”
Similar to his time in Kansas City, Washington was a long shot to make the Giants’ 53-man roster, but he’s definitely talented enough to warrant a practice squad spot. Considering the Chiefs are constantly looking at viable returner options, a Washington reunion is not out of the question next week.
Recent Giants Cut Montrell Washington Returned 8 Punts & 2 Kickoffs for Chiefs Over the Past 2 Seasons
Washington was never really utilized much as a receiver with the Chiefs, outside of training camp and the preseason, but he did return the ball for KC during the regular season in 2023 and 2024.
In 2023, Washington took 8 punt returns for a total of 61 yards. That yielded a punt return average of 7.6 yards per return, which is relatively pedestrian. His longest punt return was a 23-yarder.
Washington also returned 1 kickoff for 20 yards in 2023.
He was even less impactful the following season, as he was only called upon for 1 kick return and 10 total snaps. The lone 2024 kickoff return only produced 14 yards.
While Washington was far from spectacular with the Chiefs, he does have familiarity with the coaching staff and special teams coordinator Dave Toub. And that should never be overlooked.
KC has several returner options right now, but who knows if a player like Nikko Remigio will get claimed by another team if he misses the cut. The Chiefs also just traded away Skyy Moore, who was another WR/returner candidate.
Theoretically, in a scenario where Kansas City loses someone like Remigio or Tyquan Thornton off waivers, it could make sense for them to bring back Washington for some additional depth.
Washington was originally a fifth-round selection of the Denver Broncos in 2022.
Chiefs’ Final Preseason WR Battle Takes Shape Ahead of Roster Cuts
Tonight is the night, as Chiefs bubble candidates will take the field for one final audition during the third preseason outing versus the Chicago Bears.
At wide receiver, the camp battle has narrowed entering the August 22 game. Outside of the obvious top three, rookie draft pick Jalen Royals and veteran JuJu Smith-Schuster are expected to make the 53-man roster, giving KC five near-guarantees at the position.
However, due to the uncertainty surrounding a potential Rashee Rice suspension and Hollywood Brown’s nagging injury issues, some believe the Chiefs could keep seven wide receivers initially, rather than the more typical number of six.
That opens the door for players like Thornton, Remigio, and summer standout Jason Brownlee.
To a lesser extent, undrafted rookies Elijhah Badger, Key’Shawn Smith, Mac Dalena and Jimmy Holiday could be in the mix tonight, too, but most covering the team have narrowed the WR bubble down to three.
