The Chiefs didn’t just get back to work on Wednesday ahead of their Week 9 home game against the New York Jets. They also took a long look at a fresh batch of players at Arrowhead, hosting nine tryout candidates across three positions before quickly moving to add one of them.
That move came at wide receiver, where Kansas City signed Jacob de Jesus right away. The name isn’t new to the Chiefs. De Jesus first joined the team after going unselected in the 2026 NFL Draft, and now he’s back in the mix after another look from the staff.
The return makes sense given how the Chiefs have spoken about him before. Special teams coordinator Dave Toub praised de Jesus twice during training camp, saying, "I’m excited to see him.
He’s a great catcher, and he’s got a lot of hunger to him. It’s going to be exciting when he has the ball in his hands."
De Jesus also brings a résumé that stands out. He led college football with 108 catches in 2025 at Cal after spending his previous two seasons at UNLV. He didn’t crack the active roster to open the year, but his return to the practice squad shows Kansas City wasn’t ready to close the door on him.
The Chiefs also checked out three other receivers as they continue sorting through options. Bub Means is the most familiar name of that group, a former Saints fifth-round pick in 2024 who posted 9 catches for 118 yards and 1 touchdown in a half season before landing on injured reserve as a rookie. He spent part of this year on the Browns practice squad.
Justin Shorter came into the league as a fifth-round pick of the Bills in 2023, though injury wiped out his rookie season. He has 17 special team appearances over the last couple of years with the Raiders.
Then there’s Jalen Walthall, the lone rookie in the receiver group. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Incarnate Word, where he piled up 155 catches and 22 touchdowns over the last two years after transferring from Hawaii. He also spent summer time with the Texans and Jets before getting his shot with Kansas City.
Defensive back was another area of interest. With L’Jarius Sneed on injured reserve and Mansoor Delane dealing with a shoulder injury in recent days, the Chiefs kept their options open at the position. They also just released veteran Kader Kohou, which could point to an eye toward younger help and special teams depth.
Kansas City brought in four defensive backs: Alex Austin, Dan Jackson, Roman Parodie and Jalen Kimber. Austin and Jackson were both seventh-round picks in their draft classes, while Parodie and Kimber entered the league as priority free agents. Austin has the most experience of the group, with 29 appearances for the Houston Texans and New England Patriots from 2023-25.
The final name worth noting from the workout group was defensive tackle Jay Tufele. He was the most seasoned player among the free agents at Arrowhead, having been drafted in the fourth round in 2021 by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Tufele played in 12 games for the New York Jets last season and spent his offseason with the Detroit Lions.
He left without a contract, at least for now. Still, his presence was notable because rookie Peter Woods was the only player missing from practice. If Woods’ neck stinger becomes a longer-term issue, Tufele could be a veteran option behind Marcus Harris on the practice squad.
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Rashee Rices Off-Field Trouble Just Raised A New Chiefs Question
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The bankruptcy filing adds a new layer to a story the Chiefs would rather leave in the past, especially with Rice still carrying the burden of a 2025 civil settlement and reported wage garnishment. Even the list of assets in the case underscores how tangled things have become, and it leaves Kansas City facing yet another reminder that Rices future with the team is being shaped by more than football. [Read more 🡒]