The Kansas City Chiefs had one open spot on the 53-man roster before their trip to Seattle, and now it's spoken for. Plus, updates on CB L'Jarius Sneed and the running back room.
The Kansas City Chiefs have made one of their remaining 53-man roster decisions ahead of Week 7's "Sunday Night Football" game against the Seattle Seahawks.
The Chiefs had one open roster spot after waiving LB Cam Jones earlier this week. Kansas City had also designated LB Cooper McDonald to return to practice
. McDonald practiced in a limited capacity all week
and was listed as questionable on the team's final injury report.
That raised doubts about whether he might be available for Week 7, but now we know he will play on Sunday.
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Chiefs activate LB Cooper McDonald from injured reserve
On Saturday morning, the Chiefs announced that they activated McDonald to the 53-man roster, filling the remaining roster spot. The team also removed him from the injury report, so he no longer has a questionable game status. It's a good sign for Kansas City that he cleared that final hurdle entirely instead of entering the weekend as a game-time decision.
McDonald, a second-year linebacker out of TCU, injured his knee on a special teams play in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season. The Chiefs placed him on injured reserve ahead of Week 2. He was required to miss four games before the team could designate him to return to practice.
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The 6-foot-3, 240-pound SAM linebacker appeared in all 18 games with the Chiefs as a rookie after making the roster as an undrafted free agent from rookie minicamp. McDonald started one game, the Week 18 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. He recorded seven total tackles and one tackle for loss on 26 defensive snaps.
Chiefs LB Cooper McDonald Career Stats
McDonald has played 57 defensive snaps and 291 special teams snaps (64.7% of the team's special teams snaps).
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Most of his value has come on special teams, which matters for a Kansas City team that leans heavily on its coverage units. McDonald entered the season as the Chiefs' starting strong-side linebacker. The 25-year-old will likely be eased back into action, especially with his fill-in doing a good job in his stead.
Chiefs CB L'Jarius Sneed won't travel with the team but is still expected to rejoin it ahead of Week 7
The Chiefs announced Saturday that veteran CB L'Jarius Sneed won't travel with the team
to Seattle for personal reasons. According to the team, Sneed will meet his teammates in Seattle. However, his game status remains questionable with a knee injury.
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Sneed was also questionable leading into Week 6's game against the Los Angeles Chargers with that same knee injury. He played in that game, recording a pass defended, a forced fumble, and five combined tackles. If nothing else keeps Sneed out, he will likely play again in Week 7.
Brashard Smith's hamstring injury shapes the Chiefs' running back plans
The Chiefs announced that RB Brashard Smith needs to go on injured reserve after suffering a hamstring injury in Thursday's practice session. He will miss at least four games, with a return as early as Week 11. Andy Reid told reporters on Friday that RB Jaydn Ott would replace him. Instead of elevating him from the practice squad, the team will put Ott on the 53-man roster.
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This is a big opportunity for the UDFA, who played for Chiefs RBs coach DeMarco Murray at Oklahoma. He flashed in Week 1 of the 2026 preseason
, catching 2 of 3 passes for 40 yards, including a 27-yard reception. It felt like Kansas City intentionally limited his opportunities in the remaining preseason games in order to get him through waivers and onto the practice squad. Don't be shocked if he plays an outsized role on special teams and gets some change-of-pace opportunities at running back.
Justin Watson elevated from the practice squad for Week 7's game
For the second consecutive week, the Chiefs are elevating WR Justin Watson from the practice squad.
He'll have only one standard elevation left after Week 7's game. Watson played just one offensive snap in the Week 6 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. He's likely emergency depth at wide receiver, since Nikko Remigio plays strictly on special teams.
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The Chiefs already signed WR Andrew Armstrong to the 53-man roster
, giving the team four receivers who will be used consistently. That group includes Xavier Worthy, Jalen Royals, Armstrong, and Cyrus Allen.
Watson is coming off a 2025 Achilles injury, but recorded 64 receptions for 1,064 yards and 7 touchdowns with Kansas City from 2022-2024.
This article was originally published on A to Z Sports. Read the full story here: Kansas City Chiefs make flurry of injury-related roster moves ahead of Week 7 'Sunday Night Football' tilt vs. Seattle Seahawks
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