The Kansas City Chiefs revealed four key roster moves ahead of their Week 14 clash with the Los Angeles Chargers. Chiefs Digest reporter Matt Derrick shared the updates on X, stating:
“The Chiefs have signed WR Nikko Remigio to the active roster and placed WR Mecole Hardman on injured reserve. [The] team also elevated LB Swayze Bozeman and TE Baylor Cupp from the practice squad for tomorrow night’s game vs. Chargers.”
The most notable updates are Hardman being placed on IR — after appearing on the injury report on Friday, December 6 — and Remigio’s long-awaited promotion to the active roster.
Chiefs fans have eagerly anticipated seeing the fan-favorite wide receiver elevated.
One supporter commented, “This is overdue! Let’s go Nikko!!!”
Another added that the move “should have been done 10 weeks ago.”
A third fan chimed in: “Nikko is going to go all out to make this roster and keep his position. That guy has been waiting for his chance for a long time.”
It’s clear that Chiefs Kingdom is thrilled about Remigio’s opportunity, even though it comes at the cost of Hardman, who is now on IR for the third consecutive season.
Unless he returns in Week 18, Hardman’s sixth NFL season will end with 152 scrimmage yards, one touchdown, 20 punt returns for 203 yards, and five kick returns for 132 yards.
Nikko Remigio: A Training Camp Standout
Remigio has been a standout performer in spring and summer training over the past two years but has yet to appear in a regular-season game.
As a rookie, he suffered a season-ending injury before Week 1, landing on long-term injured reserve.
In his second year, he was cut and relegated to the practice squad despite outperforming drafted prospect Skyy Moore during the preseason.
According to Football Database, Remigio logged seven catches for 52 yards during preseason games. Additionally, he flashed his potential in the return game with a kick return average of 33.25 yards and a punt return average of 21 yards.
Though he stumbled late in training camp with a fumble and a couple of mental errors, many argue his undrafted status has been the biggest hurdle in his career.
The Chiefs gambled that Remigio was less likely to be claimed off waivers than Moore, and it appears they were correct. Now, the second-year playmaker finally gets his chance on the 53-man roster.
Chiefs Reinforce With Swayze Bozeman & Baylor Cupp
In addition to Remigio, Kansas City will elevate LB Swayze Bozeman and TE Baylor Cupp to the active roster for Sunday Night Football.
The Chiefs have been thin at tight end, with only Travis Kelce and Noah Gray active. Last week, veteran Anthony Firkser filled in as TE3. This week, Cupp will make his NFL debut in that role.
Kelce and Gray have been a dominant duo this season, so Cupp’s role is expected to resemble that of Jared Wiley earlier this year or Blake Bell in past seasons. The undrafted rookie, who impressed during training camp, recently returned from a practice squad injury on November 26.
Meanwhile, Bozeman is likely to provide special teams support, with several players nursing minor injuries. The 26-year-old linebacker will also be making his regular-season NFL debut, joining Cupp and Remigio in that milestone.
As the season progresses, the Chiefs continue to rely on practice squad elevations to address injuries and maintain depth. All three players will have an opportunity to make their mark during Sunday’s primetime matchup.
