Chiefs Host Packers, Preseason Game 3: OPEN THREAD

Laddie Morse

When the NFL changed over to the 17 game season last year, it also changed the number of Preseason Games to three, which also changed the strategy for the each team’s head coach to treat the second game like the third game used to be treated: which is to start all your starters and play them only in the first quarter. Now, those days are over and done with, kaput, and we will likely only see the Chiefs starters standing on the sideline, cheering and waving, and giving interviews, and that’s it! Plus, we already know that the Packers will be sitting all fo their starters:

Packers coach Matt LaFleur says the veteran starters won't play in the preseason finale.

(This is the right decision.)
— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) August 23, 2022

So, does that mean this preseason game means less now. Not in the least. While the Chiefs roster has already been pared down to 80 players, as of Tuesday, earlier this week, they now have to make lifetime decisions for 27 other players to get their own final roster down to 53. Many players are also doing the math, like you, and know they must have a great, great, game tonight to stand out enough, to make a statement to the coaches: “Hey, you can’t cut me, and you’ll be sorry if you do.”

It’s gone get ugly one way or another 🍵
— Jerick Mckinnon (@JetMckinnon1) August 24, 2022

Of course, many teams are hoping to keep all their players so many will end up on the Practice Squad (PS), which can take up to 16 players. To end up on the Practice Squad, only 6 of those players can be veterans.

Teams like to hide some players away (in an effort to keep more of the guys they like) and they can do this by placing some player on the Injured Reserve (IR) list. The Chief have already moved RT Lucas Niang to the IR which means he will not be eligible to play for them until after the first four games of the year. While Niang is still recovering from a torn patellar tendon injury, Derrick Gore was placed on the IR because he has a hurt thumb.

Chiefs make two roster moves to get to 80 players by Tuesday’s 3 pm CT deadline:

– RB Derrick Gore (thumb) placed on injured reserve.
– T Lucas Niang (knee) placed on PUP reserve list, meaning he has to spend a minimum of four weeks on list.
— Herbie Teope (@HerbieTeope) August 23, 2022

Who to Watch?

So, who should we keep an eye out for in this game? Much of that list will be the same as last week, which included RB Ronald Jones (RoJo) and WR Josh Gordon. Since Derrick Gore has been moved to the IR, many think that RoJo’s job is more secure now. From PFF:

“The Chiefs signed Jones this offseason after he spent the past four seasons with the Buccaneers, and though his time in Tampa didn’t end the way anyone hoped when the Bucs selected him in the second round in 2018, there were still flashes to bet on. However, a Chiefs running back room that was once ripe for the taking now appears crowded, especially for Jones. He has just one yard on four carries so far this preseason and needs a strong Week 3 to make the squad.”

Last week, I also included DT Khalen Saunders on this list of who to watch. However, he showed up big-time last week which makes him a likely 53-man roster candidate.

WR Josh Gordon, #12 – Gordon must show out NOW… and have a memorable game today, or this may be it for him.

DE Josh Kaindoh, #59 – Kaindoh is locked in a battle with Malik Herring for backup DE duties and Herring is clearly ahead in that race. Kaindoh was a 4th round pick in last year’s draft, but he’ll need a strong game vs the Packers to make the 53. He’s probably headed for the PS.

LB Jermaine Carter, #53 – Carter appears to be odd man out with Darius Harris getting the call. If Carter can come up with a huge game, maybe, just maybe, he unseats Harris, who’s had the last couple of season with the Chiefs. Advantage Harris (so far).

Run Blocking – the Chiefs run blocking has been abysmal during the first two games of the preseason and even though the first team is not starting, it will be of much interest to see if they can come up with an improved scheme for the OL front five.

Not Keepers

Following is a list of the players, and their numbers, and we are not yet sure of their immediate future with the team. The players in Yellow, are keepers, while those not highlighted are players who may or may not be kept by the Chiefs this year.