Chiefs Shockingly Cut 2-Time Champion Before Facing Raiders
By Jovan Alford
The Kansas City Chiefs made several roster moves on Tuesday ahead of their Black Friday game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
One of those moves involved offensive tackle Lucas Niang, who has played a role in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl run. The Chiefs announced that Niang and defensive end Truman Jones had their practice squad contracts terminated.
We have restored TE Baylor Cupp to the Practice Squad.
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) November 26, 2024
We signed K Matthew Wright to the Practice Squad.
We placed TE Peyton Hendershot on Reserve/Injured.
We waived DE Cameron Thomas.
We terminated the Practice Squad contract of DE Truman Jones and T Lucas Niang. pic.twitter.com/ZyLuTERtQi
The Chiefs had lost faith in the 26-year-old tackle after they took him in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Many fans thought there was a chance Kansas City would elevate Niang from the practice in Week 11 with Kingsley Suamatia being inactive.
However, the Chiefs decided to go with undrafted rookie Ethan Driskell, which likely sealed the former third-round pick’s fate with the team.
The 6-foot-6 tackle spent four years with the Chiefs but didn’t play his rookie season. Niang opted out due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in Year 2, Niang started in nine of 12 games.
However, in 2022 and ‘23, Niang didn’t make any starts, despite appearing in 21 games over those two seasons.
Then to make matters worse, Kansas City selected Wanya Morris in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft and took Kingsley Suamatia in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Both guys have struggled on the o-line this season, but the Chiefs were willing to stick it out with them over Niang.
When you have those two young guys, plus the signing of veteran D.J. Humphries last week, there was no room for Niang. However, the good news for the former TCU lineman is he should find another opportunity as several teams across the league need OL help and depth.
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