Roster cutdown day on Tuesday came with numerous transactions, so it's easy to have missed some of the other storylines across the NFL. The Kansas City Chiefs saw their fair share of cuts, and there was plenty of news about former players as well.
Head coach Andy Reid was long famous for his love of the fullback position. He was one of the final coaches to transition away from always keeping one on the roster, and fans fondly remember guys like Anthony Sherman.
Unfortunately, one Super Bowl-winning fullback from recent years suffered a significant injury and was officially put on injured reserve.
Michael Burton’s season is over. He has been placed on season-ending IR.
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) August 26, 2025
Former Chiefs FB Michael Burton Suffers Season-Ending Injury
According to Denver Broncos insider Zac Stevens, Michael Burton was put on IR and won't play in 2025. It's an unfortunate blow for the 33-year-old for multiple reasons, as he's on just a one-year deal and could be facing the end of his NFL career.
Burton played for the Chiefs in 2021 and 2022, representing the last true fullback that Reid coveted so much. He scored just one TD, but was a sound blocker and valued teammate. Following his time with Kansas City, he found a home in Denver, notching another pair of TDs last season while being the top-rated fullback at Pro Football Focus.
Originally a fifth-round pick by the Detroit Lions in the 2015 NFL draft out of Rutgers, Burton is one of the last true fullbacks left in the league. He's carved out an impressive career given how little-used the position has become, though he'll be 34 before next season and that could derail his prospects. Regardless, he'll be remembered fondly in Kansas City and has a ring after nearly 10 years in the league. That's nothing to scoff at.
Certain offenses still utilize fullbacks. If the Broncos elect not to re-sign him, it's easy to imagine a team like the Los Angeles Chargers with Jim Harbaugh or the Las Vegas Raiders with Pete Carroll pouncing on a guy like Burton. There's an irony that he could just be cycling around AFC West franchises, but at least they're all quite familiar with him.
Here's hoping Burton gets through his recovery with no hiccups and is back on the field in 2026.