Lavert Hill Released from the Kansas City Chiefs Practice Squad

In the ever-changing landscape of NFL practice squads, where teams regularly adjust rosters to address evolving needs, the Kansas City Chiefs have made a notable move: releasing cornerback Lavert Hill from their practice squad. The decision comes as the Chiefs enter the final stretch of the regular season, with playoff aspirations driving every roster tweak. Hill, a former undrafted free agent with experience across multiple NFL practice squads, had joined the Chiefs in October 2024, brought in to add depth to a secondary dealing with occasional injury scares. Lavert Hill Released from the Kansas City Chiefs Practice Squad explores the context behind this move, the factors that likely influenced the Chiefs’ decision, and what it means for both Hill’s career and the Chiefs’ secondary depth moving forward. For the Chiefs, practice squad releases are rarely arbitrary—they’re strategic choices aimed at optimizing the team’s flexibility and readiness for the challenges ahead.

Lavert Hill Released from the Kansas City Chiefs Practice Squad begins with a look at Hill’s NFL journey, which has been defined by opportunities to contribute as a depth piece. Undrafted out of the University of Michigan in 2020 (where he was a two-time All-Big Ten selection), Hill first signed with the San Francisco 49ers, spending his rookie season on their practice squad. Over the next four years, he bounced between practice squads of teams like the Cincinnati Bengals, Arizona Cardinals, and eventually the Chiefs, never securing a permanent spot on an active roster. During his time in Kansas City, Hill primarily served as a “scout team cornerback,” simulating opposing wide receivers in practice to help the Chiefs’ defense prepare for game days. His college tape highlighted solid man-to-man coverage skills and quick feet, but at the NFL level, he struggled to stand out amid more athletic competition. In limited preseason action with the Chiefs this year, Hill allowed 3 receptions on 5 targets for 45 yards, with no interceptions or pass breakups—a performance that failed to earn him a promotion to the active roster. “Lavert is a hard worker with good fundamentals,” said a former Chiefs defensive assistant. “But in the NFL, especially with a team like the Chiefs that has high standards, you need to find ways to make plays consistently. That’s where he fell short.”

Lavert Hill Released from the Kansas City Chiefs Practice Squad continues with the key factors that likely led to the Chiefs’ decision to release Hill. First and foremost, the Chiefs’ secondary health has improved in recent weeks: starting cornerbacks L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie have stayed healthy, and backup cornerback Joshua Williams has emerged as a reliable option, reducing the urgency for additional depth at the position. Additionally, the Chiefs recently signed veteran cornerback Bashaud Breeland to their practice squad—an experienced player who has spent time with the Chiefs in the past (winning a Super Bowl with them in 2019) and is more familiar with their defensive scheme. Breeland’s arrival created a logjam at practice squad cornerback, and the Chiefs ultimately chose to keep the more experienced player. Another factor is Hill’s limited special teams contributions: in the NFL, practice squad players often earn roster spots by contributing on special teams, but Hill saw minimal reps in that phase during his time with the Chiefs. “Special teams is a gateway for practice squad players to make the active roster,” said Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub. “If you can’t help there, it’s harder to justify keeping you around when other players can fill multiple roles. The Chiefs have to prioritize players who can contribute in more than one area, and that’s a reality Lavert faced.”

Lavert Hill Released from the Kansas City Chiefs Practice Squad shifts to the role of practice squad flexibility and why this move is a strategic one for the Kansas City Chiefs. NFL practice squads are designed to be fluid, with teams allowed to sign and release players weekly to address short-term needs. By releasing Hill, the Chiefs free up a practice squad spot that can be used to add depth at another position—potentially offensive line, defensive tackle, or wide receiver—where injuries or fatigue could become issues down the stretch. The Chiefs have also been impressed with the development of young cornerback Kahlef Hailassie, a 2024 undrafted free agent who has shown more upside in practice than Hill. Keeping Hailassie and Breeland instead of Hill allows the Chiefs to balance experience (Breeland) and future potential (Hailassie) at the cornerback position. “Practice squad spots are valuable real estate,” said Chiefs general manager Brett Veach. “We have to make sure every player we keep serves a clear purpose—whether that’s mentoring young guys, filling in if there’s an injury, or helping us prepare in practice. For the Kansas City Chiefs, this move is about making sure our practice squad is as productive and versatile as possible heading into the most important part of the season.”

Lavert Hill Released from the Kansas City Chiefs Practice Squad delves into the immediate impact of Hill’s release on the Chiefs’ secondary—and why the team isn’t overly concerned about depth. With Sneed and McDuffie locked in as starters, Williams as the primary backup, and Breeland now on the practice squad, the Chiefs have four cornerbacks they trust—more than enough for most game-day scenarios. Breeland’s familiarity with the Chiefs’ defense (he played in their system from 2019 to 2020) also means he can be elevated to the active roster quickly if needed, without a steep learning curve. In practice, Hailassie will take over Hill’s role as a scout team cornerback, providing the Chiefs’ defense with a younger, more athletic look at opposing wide receivers. “We feel good about our cornerback depth right now,” said Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. “Bashaud knows our system inside and out, and Kahlef has been improving every week. Losing Lavert is never easy—he worked hard—but we have players who can step in and do the job. For the Kansas City Chiefs, the goal is always to put the best possible group on the field and in practice, and this move helps us do that.”

Lavert Hill Released from the Kansas City Chiefs Practice Squad wraps up with Hill’s potential career outlook and the broader takeaways from this move for the Kansas City Chiefs. For Hill, a release from the Chiefs doesn’t necessarily signal the end of his NFL career—many practice squad players bounce between teams, and his experience at the college and professional levels could make him attractive to other teams dealing with cornerback injuries. He may also consider opportunities in the XFL or USFL to rebuild his tape and earn another shot at the NFL. For the Chiefs, this move reinforces their commitment to building a practice squad that aligns with their short-term playoff goals and long-term roster vision. By prioritizing experienced players who know their system (like Breeland) and young talent with upside (like Hailassie), the Chiefs are ensuring their practice squad remains a valuable resource, not just a collection of extra players. “Every decision we make—whether it’s on the active roster or practice squad—is about winning,” said Veach. “We have a lot of respect for Lavert and the work he put in, but we have to do what’s best for the team. For the Kansas City Chiefs, that means being unafraid to make tough choices to keep our roster competitive.” In the end, Lavert Hill Released from the Kansas City Chiefs Practice Squad is a reminder of the harsh realities of the NFL—where performance and fit matter above all—but also of the strategic thinking that goes into building a team capable of contending for a Super Bowl. For the Chiefs, this move is just another step in their pursuit of that goal.