The Kansas City Chiefs filled one practice squad spot with a speedy punt returner amid an injury concern at the position. Here's a look at all nine players who worked out for the team.
The Kansas City Chiefs made one addition to the practice squad on Wednesday after hosting nine players for tryouts, according to the NFL's daily personnel notice. The Chiefs signed wide receiver Jacob De Jesus to the practice squad.
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If that name sounds familiar, there's a reason. De Jesus signed with Kansas City as an undrafted free agent out of Cal after the 2026 NFL Draft. At 5-foot-6 and 174 pounds, he's one of the smallest players in the NFL. He's also a speedster with punt return ability, which makes his return to the building a logical one.
Why the Chiefs brought back WR Jacob DeJesus
De Jesus got a fair look from the Chiefs during the summer. He caught three passes for 24 yards across three games in the 2026 NFL preseason. He also recorded six punt returns for 47 yards.
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Before he arrived in Kansas City, De Jesus was highly productive for the University of California Golden Bears. He played 13 games in 2025, catching 108 passes for 1,030 yards and six touchdowns.
The timing of the move stands out. Chiefs wide receiver Nikko Remigio was limited on Wednesday's injury report with a hip injury
. DeJesus served as the team's second punt returner during training camp and the preseason, working behind Remigio. The decision to sign De Jesus could have something to do with Remigio's status and availability.
At the very least, it's good depth. It also creates some redundancy in the return game, where the Chiefs have been OK but not necessarily explosive. De Jesus is the type of player who could add that explosive element. He could be elevated from the practice squad if Remigio has to go on injured reserve or miss time for an extended period.
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Chiefs hosted 8 other players for tryouts
De Jesus wasn't the only player the Chiefs had in the building. While he was the only player the team signed on Wednesday, Kansas City still has one open practice squad spot. The team also brought in eight more players for tryouts:
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Defensive back Alex Austin
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Defensive back Dan Jackson
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Defensive back Jalen Kimber
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Defensive back Roman Parodie
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Wide receiver Justin Shorter
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Defensive tackle Jay Tufele
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Wide receiver Jalen Walthall
The heavy dose of defensive backs is worth noting, with half of the tryout group coming from the secondary.
A closer look at a few notable names
Austin is an NFL veteran of three seasons, appearing in games for the Houston Texans and New England Patriots. He's played in 29 NFL games with six starts. Across that stretch, he's recorded one interception, eight passes defended, 31 combined tackles, and two tackles for loss.
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The Detroit Lions selected Jackson in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of the University of Georgia. He's a two-time College Football Playoff national champion. Unfortunately, he hasn't played much in the NFL. Jackson landed on season-ending injured reserve in 2025, and the Lions waived him ahead of the 2026 NFL season.
The longest-tenured veteran in the group is Tufele, a 6-foot-3, 305-pound defensive tackle. The Jacksonville Jaguars selected him in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He spent three seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals from 2022-24 and played last season with the New York Jets. Tufele has appeared in 46 career games with seven starts. He's recorded a half sack, 56 total tackles, three tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, and one pass batted at the line of scrimmage.
What comes next for Kansas City
The bottom line is that the Chiefs are searching for reinforcements on the practice squad. Wednesday's workouts gave the front office a look at several veterans and young players who could fill a need in a pinch.
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Kansas City's moves on the 53-man roster over the next couple of days could determine whether any of these players wind up with the team beyond De Jesus. With one practice squad spot still open, keep an eye on how the injury report develops as the week goes on.
This article was originally published on A to Z Sports. Read the full story here: Kansas City Chiefs bring back familiar face at wide receiver on the practice squad after hosting 9 players for tryouts on Wednesday
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