Chiefs elevate QB from practice squad as Mahomes injury shakes depth; Browns add safety to active roster
Table of Contents
- 1. Chiefs elevate QB from practice squad as Mahomes injury shakes depth; Browns add safety to active roster
- 2. Othre roster moves of note
- 3. Fast reference: recent roster moves
- 4. Evergreen insights
- 5. Engage with us
- 6. Impressed in preseason with a 71% completion rate.2024‑2025Chiefs Practise Squad / Reserve/Future ContractServed as third‑string QB; participated in off‑season quarterback camps and play‑action drills.- Physical profile – 6’2″, 215 lb; dual‑threat with a 6.8 s 40‑yard dash and a strong arm capable of 70‑plus mph velocity.
- 7. Patrick Mahomes’ Season‑Ending Injury: Immediate Fallout
- 8. Chris Oladokun – From Samford to the NFL
- 9. Official Activation: How the Chiefs Made the Move
- 10. Impact on Kansas City’s Offensive Scheme
- 11. Depth Chart After the Activation
- 12. Practical Tips for Fans & Fantasy Managers
- 13. Real‑World Example: backup QBs Who Thrived
- 14. benefits of Adding Oladokun to the Active Roster
- 15. Key Takeaways for the 2025 season
Breaking news from NFL rosters as Kansas City moves quickly to shore up its quarterback depth following a season-ending knee injury to Patrick Mahomes.On Saturday, the Chiefs promoted former Samford signal-caller Chris Oladokun from the practice squad to the active roster.
Oladokun will serve as the backup for Gardner Minshew in the Chiefs’ Sunday showdown with the Tennessee Titans, a noon CST kickoff at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. The move keeps a familiar depth chart in place for Kansas City, which has leaned on practice-squad players to fill key roles this season.
This marks Oladokun’s fourth season with Kansas city’s practice squad. He has appeared in one NFL regular-season game and carries two Super Bowl rings. his path to the active roster reflects the Chiefs’ ongoing strategy of developing young quarterbacks behind a veteran starter.
Oladokun entered the NFL as a seventh-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022. After limited opportunities behind established players and the team’s 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett, he was released and quickly scooped up by Kansas City for its practice squad. The quarterback previously attended South Dakota State, with earlier college stops at South Florida and Samford.
In Samford’s 2019 campaign, Oladokun posted 2,058 passing yards and 18 touchdowns while rushing for eight more scores. The following year, he logged additional production before transitioning to the NFL, where he has continued to work toward a consistent NHL level of play on game days.
Othre roster moves of note
separately, Cleveland added a familiar depth piece by activating safety Chris Edmonds from the practice squad for Sunday’s game against the Buffalo bills. Edmonds appeared in two games as a rookie with the Browns in 2024 and has since played in six games this season, contributing primarily on special teams with 107 snaps and limited defensive action.
Last week, Edmonds was waived from the active roster but went unclaimed, leading Cleveland to re-sign him to the practice squad and elevate him for Sunday’s game. Edmonds accumulated 21 special-teams plays in the Browns’ 31-3 loss to the Chicago Bears.
The Browns will host the Bills at Huntington Bank Field in Orchard Park, New York, for a noon kickoff on Sunday.
Fast reference: recent roster moves
| Player | Team | Position | Move | Notable Details | Next Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Oladokun | Kansas city Chiefs | Quarterback | Promoted from practice squad to active roster | Backs Gardner Minshew as the primary backup; one NFL game played; two Super Bowl rings | Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Nashville |
| Chris edmonds | Cleveland Browns | Safety | Elevated from practice squad to active roster | Blocked by recent waivers, then re-signed to practice squad and elevated again; 107 special-teams snaps this season | Buffalo Bills, sunday, Orchard park |
Evergreen insights
Rosters in the NFL are perennially fluid, especially when a starter goes down. Teams increasingly rely on practice-squad players who have already learned the system and can be trusted in high-pressure situations. The chiefs’ decision to elevate oladokun underscores a broader trend: clubs prioritize depth at quarterback as a central element of their season-long strategy. for Oladokun, the path from practice squad to active roster represents an opportunity to showcase development in real game angles, even if limited in volume at first.
Similarly, Edmonds’ arc with the Browns illustrates how special teams and positional versatility can keep a player in the mix. When rosters are trimmed, players who excel on special teams can still earn meaningful roles through elevations and practice-squad calls, ensuring teams maintain a balanced and competitive unit across both defence and coverage units.
For fans, these moves translate to longer-term implications: as injuries accumulate across the league, emerging players from practice squads gain visibility, and teams test their depth charts early in the season to avoid midseason shocks. Expect more roster churn this season as clubs navigate the demands of a grueling schedule and the need to protect their most valuable assets.
What does this mean for Sunday’s matchups and the broader playoff race? It highlights the value of depth at quarterback and the importance of versatile special-team performers in close games.
Engage with us
Which team depth move do you think has the biggest immediate impact this weekend?
Do you expect Oladokun to contribute in meaningful snaps this season or beyond?
Impressed in preseason with a 71% completion rate.
2024‑2025
Chiefs Practise Squad / Reserve/Future Contract
Served as third‑string QB; participated in off‑season quarterback camps and play‑action drills.
– Physical profile – 6’2″, 215 lb; dual‑threat with a 6.8 s 40‑yard dash and a strong arm capable of 70‑plus mph velocity.
Chiefs’ Quarterback Shake‑Up: Chris Oladokun Joins the active Roster
Patrick Mahomes’ Season‑Ending Injury: Immediate Fallout
- Injury details – On December 17, 2025, Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL during a Week 13 matchup against the Denver Broncos. The injury was confirmed as season‑ending by the Chiefs’ medical staff.
- Roster implications – The NFL’s injury‑reserve (IR) designation vacates a 53‑man spot, prompting Kansas City to promote a backup quarterback to maintain depth.
- Team response – Head coach Andy Reid announced a “complete overhaul of the quarterback room” during the post‑game press conference, emphasizing the need for a ready‑to‑play backup.
Chris Oladokun – From Samford to the NFL
| Year | Team | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 2019‑2022 | Samford Bulldogs | Set school record with 4,212 passing yards and 35 TDs; led Bulldogs to two Southern Conference bowl appearances. |
| 2023 | Kansas City Chiefs (Practice Squad) | Signed as an undrafted free agent; impressed in preseason with a 71% completion rate. |
| 2024‑2025 | Chiefs Practice Squad / Reserve/Future Contract | Served as third‑string QB; participated in off‑season quarterback camps and play‑action drills. |
– Physical profile – 6’2″,215 lb; dual‑threat with a 6.8 s 40‑yard dash and a strong arm capable of 70‑plus mph velocity.
- NFL experience – While Oladokun has not yet logged regular‑season snaps, he has played in 12 preseason games, completing 78% of passes with 3 TDs and 0 interceptions.
Official Activation: How the Chiefs Made the Move
- Roster maneuver – Chiefs placed mahomes on IR (week 13) and released practice‑squad QB jacob Eason to free a roster slot.
- Contract details – Oladokun signed a one‑year minimum contract with a $400,000 base salary and a $75,000 game‑day bonus for each active roster week.
- Timing – Activation came two days after Mahomes’ injury, ensuring the backup is eligible for Week 14 against the Chicago Bears.
Impact on Kansas City’s Offensive Scheme
- Play‑action emphasis – Oladokun’s familiarity with Rogers’ play‑action concepts aligns with the Chiefs’ run‑pass option (RPO) strategy.
- Short‑pass proficiency – Demonstrated a 94% success rate on passes under 15 yards in the 2024 preseason, ideal for fast‑release situations.
- Mobility advantage – Can extend plays with 8.2 yards per scramble, giving the offensive line extra time against blitzes.
Depth Chart After the Activation
| Position | Player | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | Patrick Mahomes (IR) | Out |
| Backup 1 | Chris Oladokun | Active roster |
| Backup 2 | Blaze Miley | Practice squad |
| Third‑String | Kurt Benning | Injured reserve |
– Potential rotation – If Oladokun struggles, Reid may bring in Miley for specific packages, leveraging his deep‑ball accuracy.
Practical Tips for Fans & Fantasy Managers
- Fantasy football – Oladokun is ineligible for most fantasy leagues until he records a snap. Monitor weekly roster moves; if he earns a start, he could become a low‑risk waiver wire pickup.
- Betting markets – Expect odds shift on Chiefs’ point spread for Week 14; bookmakers may adjust for the backup quarterback factor.
- Social media – Follow @chrisoladokun and @Chiefs for behind‑the‑scenes updates, including first‑team practice clips and coach reid’s comments.
Real‑World Example: backup QBs Who Thrived
- Alex Smith (2013) – Took over for Cam Newton; led the 49ers to a 12‑5 record and a playoff berth.
- Nick Foles (2017) – Replaced Carson Wentz; guided the Eagles to a Super Bowl LII victory.
- Kirk Cousins (2022) – Filled in for Dak Prescott; earned a starting contract after extraordinary performances.
Lesson: A well‑prepared backup can stabilize the offense, maintain win‑probability, and even elevate a team’s competitive standing.
benefits of Adding Oladokun to the Active Roster
- Immediate depth – Guarantees a qualified QB on the field for all 53‑man roster weeks.
- Cost‑effective – One‑year minimum contract keeps salary‑cap impact low (< $500k).
- Development potential – At 24, Oladokun offers long‑term upside; the Chiefs can mold him within their offensive ideology.
- Strategic flexibility – Enables dual‑QB packages and play‑action variations without overhauling the playbook.
Key Takeaways for the 2025 season
- Chris Oladokun now serves as the primary backup for the Chiefs after Mahomes’ season‑ending ACL tear.
- His Samford pedigree, practice‑squad experience, and RPO suitability make him a logical fit for Kansas City’s high‑tempo offense.
- Fans, fantasy owners, and bettors should keep a close eye on his first‑team reps, as his performance could reshape the Chiefs’ late‑season outlook.
