Former Kansas City Chiefs corner Dicaprio Bootle has hit an expected roadblock to his career, being released by the Detroit Lions. The move was expected with Bootle not staying healthy and having enough time to earn a reserve role. Still, it is a frustrating setback for the former KC defender. Bootle started his career as an undrafted free agent with the Chiefs. Much of the two seasons Bootle spent with Kansas City was as a member of the team's practice squad.
This was the case with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Chargers as well. Bootle would make brief appearances on the active roster but would quickly be relegated each time after the promotion. All setting up an incredibly difficult path to make Detroit's final roster in the 2025 season. Bootle dealt with an early injury that made it impossible to battle his way up the depth chart.
For the Chiefs, turning the page remains the correct decision with superior depth and practice squad options now on the roster. It is hard to see any path to a reunion with Bootle, even with the defender's experience in Kansas City. Making it very possible that this is the last we see of the veteran corner.
Lions have released CB Dicaprio Bootle from Reserve/Injured with an Injury Settlement. pic.twitter.com/xeYAKVLPKC
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 24, 2025
Former Chiefs Super Bowl Champion Deals with Expected Detroit Release
The Lions' official account announced the move, noting that Bootle had reached an injury settlement with the team ahead of his release. Now, the corner is free to rehab and attempt to find another practice squad landing spot. There is a reason why Kansas City moved on, and it seems that continuing his career is going to be extremely difficult for the Super Bowl champion.
Bootle's best path is going to be proving his health later in the season and attempting to find a failing roster to join. This is the path Bootle is left with if the defender hopes to continue his struggling career. A speedy recovery must be made that allows the veteran to return before the end of the 2025 season and find a new landing spot.
If the lower leg injury that put Bootle on IR in the first place causes the defender to miss an entire season, it is safe to say the former Chief is at the end of his career. Still, there is hope that a recovery and finding the right 2025 fit might still provide one last surprise opportunity.