Chiefs Announce IR Move to Make Room for Tight End's Return

The Chiefs announced a big roster move just before a Christmas Day matchup with the Steelers, placing LB Jack Cochrane on Injured Reserve while designating TE Peyton Hendershot to return from from the same list.

Hendershot will have a 21-day practice window to come back to the active roster. He won the locker room over early in his tenure with Kansas City by defending Patrick Mahomes on the sideline against the Ravens, though his track record is nothing to get excited about.

Following the signing of Robert Tonyan to the practice squad, it makes sense for the organization to backfill the position.

Chiefs Active TE Peyton Hendershot to Return From IR

On the season, Hendershot has just three catches for 26 yards. He's primarily been a blocking tight end throughout his three-year career, suggesting it's unlikely that he will make a large impact on the team moving forward.

The Chiefs are set with Travis Kelce and Noah Gray as the top two options. Rookie Jared Wiley is out for the year but seems to have a clear role in the long term, making Hendershot a depth piece in the best-case scenario.

Ultimately, this is a move that has no real impact on Kansas City's Super Bowl hopes. Cochrane's injury is an unfortunate one to see, though it's also not important in the bigger picture. Losing special teams players is an issue, but the Chiefs have larger fish to fry given the ailments Patrick Mahomes, Chris Jones, and others are currently dealing with.

Should Kansas City topple the Steelers on Christmas Day, they'll secure the No. 1 seed in the AFC and a first-round bye in the playoffs. That's the most important goal, so these minor moves are purely about positioning the team in 2025 and beyond.

Whether or not Hendershot makes an impact is irrelevant, yet his potential activation proves that Brett Veach is leaving no stone unturned in pursuit of a three-peat.

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