The Kansas City Chiefs have made a notable addition to their roster by signing international tight end Thomas Odukoya to their practice squad. This transaction was part of the official NFL transactions released on Friday, July 24, 2025, which also included the release of three players from the injured reserve list.
Odukoya, who hails from Amsterdam, has a unique journey in American football. Before joining the NFL, he played at two junior colleges before completing his collegiate career at Eastern Michigan University, where he showcased his skills over four seasons. In 2022, he entered the league as an International Pathway Player with the Tennessee Titans, where he made appearances in two NFL games.
According to reports from Matt Derrick of Chiefs Digest, Odukoya's signing comes with an international player exemption. This exemption allows the Chiefs to maintain a 17th player on their practice squad, which is particularly beneficial as they navigate the complexities of roster management.
Previously, the Chiefs had utilized an international player exemption for tackle Chu Godrick, who has been part of the team for the past three seasons. However, after participating in four games last season, Godrick was recently claimed off waivers by the Miami Dolphins, marking a shift in the Chiefs' strategy as they adapt their roster.
In addition to the signing of Odukoya, the Chiefs also reached injury settlements with three players who were waived/injured during the final roster cuts. Quarterback Chris Oladokun, guard CJ Hanson, and running back EJ Smith have all been released from Kansas City's Reserve/Injured (IR) list. Players with fewer than four accrued seasons who are waived while injured typically revert to their team's IR if they go unclaimed on waivers.
Injury settlements involve negotiations between the player and the team regarding the estimated recovery timeline, along with a prorated portion of the player's base salary to cover the expected duration of absence. The specifics of these settlements are rarely disclosed to the public. Once the settlement period concludes, Oladokun, Hanson, and Smith will be eligible to join the active roster or practice squads of any other NFL teams, although they cannot return to Kansas City for an additional three weeks after that.
This series of transactions highlights the Chiefs' ongoing efforts to build a competitive roster while also managing the complexities of injuries and player development. As the NFL season approaches, the integration of Odukoya into the practice squad could provide the Chiefs with additional depth at the tight end position, as they look to strengthen their lineup for the upcoming challenges.
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