The Chiefs are making a few last-minute adjustments before Sunday night’s trip to Seattle, and the roster shuffle gives Kansas City some added flexibility at both running back and receiver.
Kansas City signed running back Jaydn Ott to the active roster, activated linebacker Cooper McDonald and elevated wide receiver Justin Watson from the practice squad. The team also placed running back Brashard Smith on injured reserve.
The Chiefs announced the moves through their official X account on October 24, 2026.
“We have signed Practice Squad player RB Jaydn Ott to an active roster contract.
We have activated LB Cooper McDonald from Reserve/Injured.
We have activated Practice Squad player WR Justin Watson via Standard Elevation.
We have placed RB Brashard Smith on Reserve/Injured. pic.twitter.com/fZX4YNjghi
- Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 24, 2026”
Ott’s move gives Kansas City another body in the backfield, while Watson’s elevation adds depth to the receiving corps. McDonald’s activation also clears up another defensive situation for the Chiefs.
There was also an update on cornerback L’Jarius Sneed. He is not traveling with the team at first because of personal reasons, but he is expected to join the Chiefs in Seattle. Sneed remains questionable for Sunday because of a knee injury.
“CB L’Jarius Sneed is not traveling with the team today (personal) but will meet the team in Seattle. Sneed’s game status remains Questionable with a knee injury.
We have signed LB Cooper McDonald to the active roster. McDonald's game status has been removed. He is no longer…
- Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 24, 2026”
The Chiefs head into Week 7 at 5-0 after handling the Los Angeles Chargers 22-6 in Week 6. Their defense did the heavy lifting in that win, while Patrick Mahomes has continued to steer the offense efficiently since returning from last season’s knee injury.
“Last year, to me, put football in perspective,” Mahomes said. “We played in so many Super Bowls, and even last year when stuff wasn’t going right, it was like, ‘We’re going to figure it out and make it happen.'”
Kansas City has also gotten help from a productive ground game led by Kenneth Walker III, who joined the team during the offseason. That balance has eased the load on Mahomes and helped the Chiefs keep rolling.
Now comes a road test against the 3-3 Seahawks on Sunday Night Football. If Kansas City wants to keep its perfect start intact, it will have to go through the defending champs at Lumen Field.
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The Seahawks have still had a dependable presence in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, whose value has only grown as the offense works through its issues. Still, this is the kind of game that can sharpen the questions around Seattles early-season identity, with the Chiefs carrying momentum and a back who knows exactly what his former team is trying to do on the other side. [Read more 🡒]