Kansas City wide receiver Kadarius Toney and Tennessee cornerback Caleb Farley, both first-round picks from the 2021 NFL draft, were released on Tuesday as teams reduced their rosters for the regular season.
Toney, who was expected to be on the edge of making the roster, was on his second team since being drafted 20th overall by the New York Giants three years ago. Farley was drafted two picks later by the Titans.
Teams had to cut their rosters down to 53 players from the training camp maximum of 90. Toney, Farley, and many others who were cut will be eligible to join practice squads, which can have up to 17 players, including one spot for the International Player Pathway Program.
Miami wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. will start the season on the physically unable-to-perform list, meaning he will miss at least the first four games. Beckham has not played with the Dolphins since signing a one-year contract in May.
San Francisco’s initial roster is missing a key player with All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams still on the reserve/did not report list as he seeks a new contract. Star receiver Brandon Aiyuk is on the roster but has refused to practice unless he gets a new contract or is traded.
Injuries cut short Toney’s first two seasons, and he was traded to the Chiefs during his second year with the Giants. At 25 years old, he did not consistently show his playmaking abilities but had a significant impact in the first of his two Super Bowl victories with the Chiefs.
In a three-minute stretch during the fourth quarter of Kansas City’s 38-35 win over Philadelphia in Super Bowl 57, Toney made two crucial plays. He first caught a 5-yard touchdown pass that put the Chiefs ahead 28-27, and then returned a punt 65 yards to the Eagles’ 5-yard line, setting up another touchdown.
