Malik Herring Waived in Recent Move by the Kansas City Chiefs

In a move that surprised some fans but aligned with roster strategy, the Kansas City Chiefs announced they have waived defensive end Malik Herring on Tuesday, opening a spot on their 53-man roster ahead of Week 15’s matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Herring, a third-year player who joined the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2021, had spent most of the 2024 season as a reserve defensive end, contributing primarily on special teams and in rotational pass-rush packages. The decision comes as the Chiefs navigate late-season roster flexibility—needing space to sign a practice-squad wide receiver amid injuries to their passing corps—and reflects the team’s depth at defensive end, where stars like George Karlaftis and Mike Danna have stayed healthy. Malik Herring Waived in Recent Move by the Kansas City Chiefs examines the factors behind the move, Herring’s impact during his time in Kansas City, and what it means for the Chiefs’ defensive line depth moving forward.

Malik Herring Waived in Recent Move by the Kansas City Chiefs begins with the context of the Chiefs’ roster needs that drove the decision. Entering Week 15, the Chiefs were dealing with injuries to wide receivers Kadarius Toney (ankle) and Skyy Moore (hamstring), leaving them thin at a position critical to Patrick Mahomes’ passing attack. To address this, they needed to clear a spot on the 53-man roster to promote practice-squad receiver Justyn Ross—a 2022 second-round pick who has shown promise in limited action. With few easy choices, the Chiefs turned to their deepest position: defensive end. Herring, who had played just 12% of the team’s defensive snaps this season (mostly in garbage time) and recorded 5 tackles and no sacks, became the most logical candidate to waive. “Roster moves like this are never easy, but they’re necessary to address immediate needs,” said Chiefs general manager Brett Veach in a press release. “Malik has been a professional throughout his time here, and we appreciate his contributions. But with injuries at receiver, we needed to prioritize that position to keep our offense competitive.” For the Chiefs, the move was a classic example of late-season roster management—sacrificing depth at a strong position to fix a vulnerability elsewhere.

Another key angle of Malik Herring Waived in Recent Move by the Kansas City Chiefs is Herring’s tenure with the Chiefs and his contributions on and off the field. Herring arrived in Kansas City in 2021 after going undrafted out of the University of Georgia, where he had been a standout defensive end before tearing his ACL in his senior year. The Chiefs took a chance on his potential, signing him to a three-year deal and giving him time to recover. He made his NFL debut in 2022, playing 16 games primarily on special teams, and showed flashes of promise in 2023—recording 2 sacks and 15 tackles in a rotational role. This season, however, his playing time dwindled as the Chiefs’ defensive line depth improved: Karlaftis emerged as a Pro Bowl-caliber edge rusher, Danna continued to be a reliable backup, and rookie defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah (a 2024 first-round pick) took on more snaps. Despite limited opportunities, Herring remained a respected presence in the locker room, mentoring younger players like Anudike-Uzomah and contributing to the team’s special teams units (he recorded 3 special teams tackles this season). “Malik is the kind of guy every team wants,” said Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen. “He works hard, he’s a great teammate, and he never complains about playing time. He did everything we asked of him, and that’s all you can ask for from a player.”

A critical aspect of Malik Herring Waived in Recent Move by the Kansas City Chiefs is the Chiefs’ defensive line depth and why they could afford to lose Herring. The Chiefs’ defensive end group is one of the deepest in the NFL: Karlaftis (9 sacks this season) is a full-time starter and one of the league’s top young edge rushers; Danna (4 sacks) is a versatile backup who can play both end and tackle in sub-packages; Anudike-Uzomah (3 sacks) has exceeded expectations as a rookie, showing speed and power off the edge; and veteran Charles Omenihu (2 sacks) provides additional depth. Even without Herring, the Chiefs have four defensive ends capable of contributing in meaningful snaps—a luxury few teams have. “Our defensive line depth is a strength we’ve built over years,” said Veach. “We’ve drafted well, signed smart free agents, and developed players from within. That depth gives us the flexibility to make moves like this when other positions need help.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, this depth also provides insurance against injuries: if Karlaftis or Danna were to get hurt, Anudike-Uzomah and Omenihu are ready to step in. Herring’s departure, while regrettable, doesn’t weaken the unit’s core strength—and it allows the Chiefs to address a more pressing need at receiver.

Another important reason Malik Herring Waived in Recent Move by the Kansas City Chiefs matters is the potential for Herring to return to the Chiefs’ practice squad or be claimed by another team. Under NFL rules, waived players go through a 24-hour claim period, during which other teams can pick them up. If no team claims Herring, the Chiefs can re-sign him to their practice squad—a move that would allow them to retain his services while keeping him off the 53-man roster. Given Herring’s familiarity with the Chiefs’ defensive scheme and his work ethic, this is a realistic possibility. “We’d be open to bringing Malik back on the practice squad if the situation works out,” Veach said. “He knows our system, he’s a good teammate, and he could provide depth if we need it later in the season.” For other teams, Herring represents a low-risk, high-reward addition: he’s young (25 years old), has NFL experience, and showed potential in 2023. Teams with thin defensive line depth—like the Chicago Bears or Arizona Cardinals—could be interested in claiming him to bolster their pass rush. For Herring, the move is a setback but not the end of his NFL career: his work ethic and versatility make him an attractive candidate for teams looking to add depth for the playoff push.

Wrapping up Malik Herring Waived in Recent Move by the Kansas City Chiefs is what the move says about the Chiefs’ priorities and their Super Bowl aspirations. The Chiefs are a team built to win now, and every roster move is made with that goal in mind. Waiving Herring to promote a receiver isn’t just about fixing an injury—it’s about ensuring Mahomes has the weapons he needs to compete for another Super Bowl. The Chiefs know that in the playoffs, offensive firepower can be the difference between winning and losing, and they weren’t willing to risk being shorthanded at receiver. At the same time, the move reflects confidence in their defensive line depth—a unit they believe can still dominate even without Herring. For Chiefs fans, the move may be disappointing (especially for those who appreciated Herring’s underdog story), but it’s a reminder of the tough choices teams must make to stay competitive. “It’s never fun to see a good guy go, but I get it,” said Mike, a lifelong Chiefs fan from Kansas City. “We need receivers to help Mahomes, and our defensive line is stacked. Hopefully, Malik gets another chance—either with us on the practice squad or with another team. But for the Chiefs, this move is all about winning the Super Bowl.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, waiving Malik Herring is a calculated risk—one they believe will pay off in their quest for another championship. And in the end, that’s what matters most to a franchise built on success.