Darius Harris Waived from Lineup by the Kansas City Chiefs

In a roster move aimed at strengthening depth ahead of the playoffs, the Kansas City Chiefs announced they have waived linebacker Darius Harris on Tuesday, ending his second stint with the franchise. Harris, a 27-year-old journeyman linebacker, had spent the majority of the 2025 season on the Chiefs’ practice squad, appearing in just three games as a reserve and special teams contributor. The move comes as the Chiefs look to free up a roster spot for a more pressing need—specifically, adding depth to their secondary, which has dealt with minor injuries to cornerbacks L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie in recent weeks. While Harris was a reliable practice squad elevation for short-handed weeks, the Chiefs’ loaded linebacker room and playoff priorities made his roster spot expendable. Darius Harris Waived from Lineup by the Kansas City Chiefs is a story of roster management, as a contender makes calculated moves to optimize its lineup for a Super Bowl run.

Harris’ journey with the Chiefs has been one of ups and downs, dating back to his undrafted signing in 2020. After spending his rookie season on the practice squad, he emerged as a key special teams player in 2021, appearing in 16 games and recording 18 tackles. He signed with the Chicago Bears in 2022 but returned to Kansas City in 2024, where he has served as a depth linebacker and practice squad staple. This season, Harris saw limited action: he played 12 defensive snaps against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 6, 8 special teams snaps against the Denver Broncos in Week 12, and was inactive for 10 games. His production was minimal—just 3 tackles and no sacks or pass breakups—but he was praised by coaches for his work ethic and ability to learn multiple linebacker positions. However, with the Chiefs entering the playoffs and needing to prioritize positions with thinner depth, Harris became a casualty of the team’s roster crunch. Darius Harris Waived from Lineup by the Kansas City Chiefs reflects the harsh reality of NFL roster management: even reliable role players can be waived when a team’s needs shift.

The primary driver behind Harris’ waiver is the Kansas City Chiefs’ exceptional depth at linebacker—a position group that has been one of the team’s strongest all season. Star linebacker Nick Bolton has had a Defensive Player of the Year-caliber season, recording 142 tackles, 4 sacks, and 2 interceptions, while fellow starter Willie Gay Jr. has added 89 tackles and 3 pass breakups. Behind them, the Chiefs have young talent like Leo Chenal (a 2023 third-round pick who has 45 tackles and 2 sacks) and Jack Cochrane (a special teams standout who has appeared in all 15 games). This depth means the Chiefs can afford to part ways with Harris without weakening their linebacker rotation. Additionally, the Chiefs’ practice squad already includes linebacker Cam Jones, who has similar versatility to Harris and can be elevated on game days if needed. By waiving Harris, the Chiefs free up a roster spot to address a more pressing need—most likely signing a veteran cornerback or safety to provide insurance for their banged-up secondary. Darius Harris Waived from Lineup by the Kansas City Chiefs is a strategic move, as the Chiefs prioritize positional needs that will have a bigger impact on their playoff success.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ decision to waive Harris also aligns with their playoff strategy of surrounding Patrick Mahomes with a roster that can handle the rigors of a deep postseason run. Playoff teams often need to specialize their rosters, focusing on positions that face high-stakes matchups—like cornerbacks who can cover elite wide receivers or pass-rushers who can pressure opposing quarterbacks. The Chiefs’ secondary, while strong, has recently dealt with injuries: Sneed missed Week 15 with a hamstring strain, and McDuffie has been playing through a shoulder injury. Adding a veteran defensive back—like former Chiefs cornerback Charvarius Ward, who is a free agent after being released by the San Francisco 49ers—would give the Chiefs more flexibility in their secondary and allow defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to run more aggressive coverages. The Kansas City Chiefs have a history of making these kinds of midseason roster moves, including signing wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster in 2022 and defensive tackle Chris Jones in 2023, both of whom played key roles in Super Bowl runs. By waiving Harris, the Chiefs are making room for a player who can contribute more directly to their championship goals. Darius Harris Waived from Lineup by the Kansas City Chiefs is a reminder that every roster move the Chiefs make this time of year is designed to help them win another Super Bowl.

Beyond the immediate roster implications, the Kansas City Chiefs’ waiver of Harris also reflects the team’s commitment to developing young talent. Chenal and Cochrane, both under 25, have shown significant growth this season, and the Chiefs want to ensure they have opportunities to contribute in the playoffs. By waiving Harris, the Chiefs send a message to their young players that hard work and production will be rewarded with playing time. Additionally, the move allows Harris to pursue opportunities with other teams—many of which are still in the playoff hunt and need linebacker depth. Teams like the Buffalo Bills, who lost linebacker Matt Milano to injury earlier this season, or the Baltimore Ravens, who have dealt with injuries to their linebacker corps, could be interested in signing Harris. The Kansas City Chiefs have a reputation for treating their players with respect, and waiving Harris now gives him a chance to join a team where he can play a more significant role down the stretch. Darius Harris Waived from Lineup by the Kansas City Chiefs is a win-win for both parties: the Chiefs get roster flexibility, and Harris gets a chance to continue his NFL career.

Looking ahead, the Kansas City Chiefs will likely use the roster spot opened by Harris’ waiver to sign a defensive back before their regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers. This move will help them prepare for potential playoff matchups against teams with dynamic passing offenses, like the Buffalo Bills (led by Stefon Diggs) or the Miami Dolphins (led by Tyreek Hill). For Harris, the future is uncertain but full of opportunity—he has proven he can contribute on special teams and as a reserve linebacker, and there will be no shortage of teams looking for that kind of depth. Regardless of where he goes next, Harris will always be part of the Chiefs’ recent history, having contributed to their 2022 Super Bowl run and their 2025 AFC West title. The Kansas City Chiefs’ roster is always in flux this time of year, but one thing remains constant: every move is made with the goal of winning another Lombardi Trophy. Darius Harris Waived from Lineup by the Kansas City Chiefs is just one small part of that larger mission, but it’s a critical example of how the Chiefs’ front office and coaching staff work together to build a championship-caliber team.