Less than a month is left for the Kansas City Chiefs’ season opener against the Denver Broncos, but Andy Reid’s team is still busy shaking the roster. In the process, they waived wide receiver Jeff Caldwell, who had impressed scouts in the NFL Combine. However, the Chiefs ensured they kept the door open for Caldwell to return next season.

“We have signed Free Agent DE Niles King. We have waived WR Jeff Caldwell with an injury designation,” the Chiefs reported on X on Monday.

The Chiefs haven’t taken this decision hastily. Caldwell suffered a hyperextended left knee during practice on Wednesday, August 19.

“Chiefs WR Jeff Caldwell in the training tent getting an exam in his left leg,” Chiefs Digest reporter Matt Derrick shared on X that day. “Took a hit during the last play in team period and was in immediate pain, gingerly putting weight on left side.”

Get The Huddle Newsletter. The day's biggest NFL stories — rivalries, matchups, expert analysis, power rankings, and insider draft news.

This decision came after Caldwell had set high expectations in the Kansas City camp this spring. They signed him as an undrafted free agent this year, based on the promise he showed at the Combine. He ran a 4.31-second 40-yard-dash at 6’5 and 216 pounds, being the tallest receiver at the combine. His performance made him the second fastest among receivers who ran the dash, and he was named to college footbal insider Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks” List in the preseason.

Moreover, Charles Goodman of A to Z Sports also labeled Caldwell one of the most athletic UDFA’s he’s seen.

“It’s not hyperbole when I say that Cincinnati WR Jeff Caldwell may be the most athletic undrafted free agent in NFL history,” wrote Goldman. “His performance at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine resulted in a 98.9 A to Z Sports Athletic Composite. He recorded 97th percentile scores in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, and broad jump.”

Seeing these numbers, it would be hard to digest if the Chiefs just simply parted ways with him. But that isn’t the case. If Caldwell passes through the waivers unclaimed, he will revert to the team’s injured reserve list. Once he reaches that point, Caldwell could either remain on injured reserve for the entire 2026 season or agree to an injury settlement. In the latter case, he would eventually be released from injured reserve after the settlement is finalized.

Caldwell walked into the NFL after strongly proving himself in college. He wrapped up his Lindenwood stint in 2024, averaging 19.5 yards per carry with 11 touchdowns that season. He also became the finalist for the Walter Payton Award as the top FCS player. His four touchdown catches against Eastern Illinois tied the most by any FCS receiver in a game during the 2024 season.

After proving himself at Lindenwood, in December 2024, he transferred to the Cincinnati Bearcats. During the 2025 season, he played in 13 games and hauled in 32 catches, 478 yards, and six touchdowns. In Cincinnati’s win over UCF, he found the end zone twice, including on a season-long 40-yard reception. Caldwell followed that performance with season highs of five catches and 109 yards against Bowling Green. Proving himself in Cincinnati in one season, he earned the honorable All-Big 12 honors.

Kansas City Chiefs Turn to Rookie After Waiving Jeff Caldwell

A rookie defensive end from San Diego State, Niles King went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft before signing with the Los Angeles Chargers this spring. Unfortunately, he was released by the AFC West team only weeks later.

Niles walks into Kansas City after playing just one season for the Aztecs. Before that, he spent four seasons at Grand Valley State University. His last stint in college was a hit as he totaled 6.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, and 30 combined tackles. It placed him seventh in the Mountain West Conference in sacks and tackles for loss.

Besides his strength on the gridiron, his impressive dimensions might have also caught Kansas City’s attention. Measuring nearly 6-foot-6 and around 260 pounds at his Pro Day, King posted an impressive 34 5/8-inch arm length, 10 1/8-inch hands, and an 82 1/2-inch wingspan, per Draft Scout.

Niles’ signing is the latest in the list of last-minute decisions after the Chiefs waived Matt Waletzko with an injury designation, signed offensive tackle Kellen Diesch and linebacker Cam Jones last week. HC Andy Reid has one preseason game against the Seahawks to evaluate the players on the bubble who will make the 53-man roster.