Felix Anudike-Uzomah is headed to IR for the year, triggering Kansas City’s edge-depth reshuffle just before preseason game three. With the rookie inaction, George Karlaftis and fellow vets loom larger, and the club is left to sort through depth pieces behind them. Owen Carney and Xander Mueller were added to the roster to fill the immediate gaps, while Elijah Young was waved and defensive-line oomph like Marlon Tuipulotu was plugged in to strengthen interior push. The move signals a broader roster crunch heading into cut-down day, and fans should watch how Kansas City rosters for 2026, especially on the edge and at DT, evolve as the team eye acquisitions to shore up the front. Meanwhile, rookies like Joshua Simmons and Kingsley Suamataia face a steep learning curve, balancing reps with special teams and stay-ready mindsets as prep for week one grows closer.

Rookie development and positional depth dominate the chatter, with the Chiefs weighing options at wide receiver and secondary as injuries and suspensions complicate the picture. The team’s approach mirrors a calculated cost-benefit game: preserve money and roster stability while unlocking a few reserve players who might contribute later in the season. For fantasy, the absence of Anudike-Uzomah shrinks ceiling for KC’s immediate sack upside, while a deeper rotation could push up the value of other pass-rushers and interior linemen as the season unfolds.