Chiefs sign ex-Commanders RB with eye on practice squad battle

The Kansas City Chiefs have decided to fill the last open spot on their 90-man roster heading into the second preseason game by bolstering the backfield. Per reporter Matt Derrick, the Chiefs have signed Michael Wiley with just two practices remaining in training camp.

The Chiefs had an open roster slot after having placed two players on injured reserve: safety Deon Bush, who had a torn Achilles, and defensive end Janarius Robinson, who suffered a fractured foot. Both were injured in the Chiefs’ preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals.

The Chiefs have bolstered the backfield by signing a former Washington Commanders prospect.

Wiley went unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft and subsequently signed with the Washington Commanders as a rookie free agent. While he didn’t make the team’s active roster, he did remain with the practice squad for the duration of the season and was brought back on a futures deal to start the new league year. However, he was released before the start of training camp this summer.

During his five-year stint in Arizona, Wiley showed off a penchant for catching passes out of the backfield with 123 career receptions for the Wildcats. He also had a nose for the end zone with 28 total touchdowns.

The Chiefs have a fairly predictable pecking order at this point out of the backfield, with minimal questions about who will make the final roster. Isiah Pacheco is the lead back without question, while Elijah Mitchell and Kareem Hunt have both registered a solid amount of carries in practices and the first preseason game.

Seventh-round rookie Brashard Smith also feels like a good bet to make the active roster out of camp, which could leave fullback Carson Steele on the outside looking in. There’s also Elijah Young, who signed as a rookie free agent.

Wiley could set his sights on Young as a primary competitor with whom he could jostle for a spot on the Chiefs’ practice squad.