Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Chamarri Conner, defensive tackle Bryson Eason, quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (third - emergency quarterback), offensive tackle Diego Pounds, defensive end Jack Pyburn, offensive tackle Josh Simmons and tight end Jared Wiley are listed as inactive for the Week 1 game against the Denver Broncos Monday, Sept. 14.
SOURCE: Chiefs.com
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Week 1 inactives for Chiefs

#tackle #quarterback #conner

The Kansas City Chiefs have released their list of inactive players for the season opener of "Monday Night Football" against the Denver Broncos.
The Chiefs will play without safety Chamarri Conner (knee), offensive tackles Josh Simmons (back) and Diego Pounds, defensive tackle Bryson Eason, tight end Jared Wiley and defensive end Jack Pyburn. Rookie Garrett Nussmeier has been designated as Kansas City's emergency quarterback — meaning he is only eligible to enter the game should both starter Patrick Mahomes and backup Justin Fields leave with injuries.
This appears to be the first time Kansas City has named an emergency quarterback since the rule was created in 2023.
Kansas City had already ruled Conner and Simmons out on the final injury report. Defensive tackle Chris Jones was held out of the team's final practice with a calf issue, but he was not given an injury game status. As expected, Jones is active for the contest.
On Monday, Kansas City elevated practice squad defensive tackle Marcus Harris and fullback Ben VanSumeren to the active roster. As elevated players, they will automatically be returned to the team's practice squad after the game. Both are active for the contest.

#tackle #practice #conner

As the SEC is set to attempt to immediately enforce its ban on players who have signed NFL contracts returning to college to play for schools in the conference, LSU coach Lane Kiffin said that he and his coaching staff are simply playing the waiting game.
Thursday, the SEC is set to argue against a possible preliminary injunction favoring players who filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in a Louisiana federal court. Those plaintiffs were granted a temporary restraining order allowing them to play college sports in 2025, and many of those players had been on NFL rosters this summer.
The group included former LSU defensive end Jack Pyburn, former Ole Miss TE Dae'Quan Wright and ex-Rebels DT Zxavian Harris. Pyburn, who was cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the weekend, was picked up on waivers by the Kansas City Chiefs and is set to stay in the NFL. Wright and Harris have committed to play for Kiffin at LSU after playing for him at Ole Miss in 2025.
Assuming they're eligible, of course.
"We don't put any energy into it," Kiffin said about Thursday's hearing during Wednesday's SEC teleconference. "We're not in it. So this is a lot of athletes from a lot of different sports from a lot of different states in the hearing tomorrow. So we don't put any energy into it. We're waiting to get more information tomorrow, more guidance from the SEC."

#pyburn #miss #wright #harris

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered the offseason determined to create more competition and depth along the edge. After watching Jack Pyburn throughout the preseason, they may eventually wonder whether they let one of their more intriguing young pass rushers get away too soon.
Tampa Bay waived Pyburn as part of its final roster cuts despite the undrafted rookie putting together one of the strongest preseasons on the team. Pyburn finished with four sacks, including two against the New York Jets and another two in the preseason finale against Jacksonville. His four sacks were tied for the most among edge defenders during the preseason. A numbers problem was always going to exist. The Buccaneers spent significant resources rebuilding the position, adding first-round pick Rueben Bain Jr. and veteran Al-Quadin Muhammad to a group that already included Yaya Diaby, David Walker and Anthony Nelson. With only so many roster spots available, Tampa Bay was eventually going to have to make a difficult decision. The gamble was likely that he would clear waivers and potentially remain available to the organization. Instead, the Kansas City Chiefs claimed him almost immediately, placing Pyburn on their 53-man roster and preventing Tampa Bay from bringing him back.
Preseason sacks don't automatically translate to the regular season, and Pyburn was often working against backups. Still, he did exactly what a young player is supposed to do with limited opportunities. Todd Bowles praised his work ethic and production after his two sack performance against New York, noting that Pyburn had taken advantage of the opportunities he received despite being buried behind a deep group of edge rushers, as Pyburn has a 21.4 percent pass rush productivity rate on true pass sets and a 23.8 percent win rate during the preseason.
The Buccaneers couldn't keep every promising edge defender, and their revamped group should be significantly deeper than it was a year ago. But if injuries strike or Pyburn develops into a contributor for Kansas City, this move will become much harder to defend. Tampa Bay spent the offseason searching for young players who could get after the quarterback. Pyburn showed legitimate signs of being one of them, and now the Buccaneers won't get the chance to find out what he could have become in their defense.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Did the Buccaneers make a mistake by waiving Jack Pyburn?

#buccaneers #preseason #sacks

The Kansas City Chiefs have disrupted Lane Kiffin's plans for LSU by claiming linebacker Jack Pyburn off NFL waivers. Pyburn had been discussed as a possible return to Baton Rouge after leaving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The 22-year-old linebacker posted four sacks during the Buccaneers' preseason but failed to secure a roster spot. Kansas City then claimed him Monday, ending LSU's hopes of adding the former Tiger.
Pyburn's situation became possible because of ongoing eligibility litigation in Louisiana. A temporary restraining order allowed players involved in the case to potentially return to college football.
MORE: Chiefs' Andy Reid breaks down Josh Simmons' path back to practice
However, his spot on Kansas City's 53-man roster likely ends his SEC return plans. The Chiefs also claimed defensive tackle Bryson Eason after San Francisco released him Sunday.

#return #city #buccaneers

Defensive lineman Jack Pyburn was waived by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday and could be the latest player who tries to go back to college after spending time in an NFL camp.
Pyburn was among the cuts on the day NFL teams reduced their rosters to 53. He could now try to get a fifth year of eligibility if he is not claimed on waivers by another team Monday. He'll become a free agent if he's not picked up and is among the players granted a temporary restraining order by a Louisiana court earlier this month that would make them eligible to return to college athletics. Pyburn's likely landing spot would be LSU.
Four other players who spent time on NFL rosters this offseason before being cut were also part of the case: former LSU running back TJ Harden, former Mississippi tight end Dae'Quan Wright, former Ole Miss defensive lineman Zxavian Harris and former Oregon State running back Anthony Hankerson.
These players all entered the NFL draft process because they had used up their four years of eligibility. The NCAA announced a rule change in June allowing players who began college in 2023 or later to have five years to play five seasons.
That rule didn't apply to these players because they entered college in 2022. They have sued the NCAA, arguing they're being deprived of education and potential name, image and likeness benefits by being excluded from the rule.

#rule

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered their preseason finale with several roster spots and position battles still to sort out. Their 19-0 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars may have provided some answers, although not necessarily the ones Tampa Bay wanted. The Buccaneers finished with only 120 total yards, went 2 of 12 on third down and failed to score. Still, there were a few positives buried inside an otherwise difficult night.
If anyone helped themselves Friday night, it was Jack Pyburn. The rookie edge rusher finished with two sacks and three tackles for loss, consistently finding his way into Jacksonville's backfield. Tampa Bay's defensive front produced most of the team's bright spots, finishing with four sacks as Anthony Nelson and Josiah Green also got to the quarterback. Pyburn's performance was especially important as final roster decisions approach. Tampa Bay has spent the offseason rebuilding its front seven, and his ability to provide energy and production off the edge gives the coaching staff something to consider as they build the final 53. Pyburn has certainly played himself into a position where the coaching staff has to find him a spot.
Jalon Daniels had arguably his biggest opportunity of the preseason after being given the start, but he wasn't able to capitalize on it. Daniels completed 8 of 15 passes for 57 yards while taking three sacks and losing a botched snap, a glaring issue over the preseason. After helping lead comeback victories in Tampa Bay's first two preseason games, Daniels struggled to generate anything consistently against Jacksonville. He wasn't helped by his receivers, either. Dean Patterson IV and Kameron Johnson dropped third-down passes early, while Garrett Greene also failed to secure a catchable ball. Daniels' previous performances showed why Tampa Bay has been intrigued by the undrafted rookie, but Friday reminded everyone he remains a developmental quarterback. If there was a legitimate opportunity to overtake Jake Browning for the backup job behind Baker Mayfield, the finale did not do anything to solidify his case.
There isn't much positive to say about an offense that finishes with 87 yards and zero points. Tampa Bay punted on six of its first seven possessions and struggled to protect its quarterbacks, sustain drives or establish the running game. The Buccaneers didn't record a single first down in the second half as Jacksonville's defensive front controlled the line of scrimmage. The offensive line remained a major issue, and receivers failed to come down with the ball. Then came the special teams breakdown that put an exclamation point on the night. Michael Wortham returned a punt 63 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, extending Jacksonville's lead to 19-0 and turning an already frustrating night into a nightmare final score.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: The good, the bad and the ugly from Buccaneers' 19-0 loss to Jaguars

#night

In their final preseason game, the Buccaneers were blanked by the Jacksonville Jaguars 0-19, capping off what was otherwise a solid preseason for Tampa Bay. The Bucs were disappointing, especially on offense, which couldn't get anything going regardless of who was under center, and on special teams, which reverted to old bad habits. The defense largely held up its end thanks to another great night of pass rush and secondary play. A solid defensive effort went for naught thanks to the offensive implosion, which likely saw the end of Jalon Daniels' hopes to be Baker Mayfield's primary backup.
Here are the studs and duds from the Bucs' preseason finale loss to the Jaguars:
By all appearances, Jalon Daniels was auditioning for the rare third quarterback spot on the Bucs' 53-man roster. Unfortunately for him, it went almost as badly as it could have against the Jaguars. Daniels was sharp early, but his receivers were anything but. Then came the fumbled snap in the second quarter, a problem that carried over from last week's matchup against the Chiefs.
Daniels then took three sacks, three more than in any previous preseason game. He finished with just eight completions on 15 attempts and just 57 pass yards. While Daniels remains the Bucs' most dynamic quarterback from the preseason, it is unlikely he did enough to prove himself reliable enough to overtake Jake Browning as QB2.
One of Tampa Bay's few highlights was the play of its outside linebackers, who frustrated the Jaguars' offense all night. David Walker was unstoppable once again, winning a third of his pass rushes per PFF. Anthony Nelson continued his productive preseason, recording a sack and a quarterback hit. Jack Pyburn played like someone who did not plan on playing for LSU this year, leading the team with two sacks, three tackles for a loss and two quarterback hits. Tampa Bay's edge rush looks much improved from last year heading into this season.

#jaguars #quarterback #pass

Lane Kiffin, LSU send clear message to SEC over NFL players originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Lane Kiffin is already turning heads in his tenure at LSU, but not in a good way.
The Tigers signed former NFL tight end Dae'Quan Wright and defensive tackle Zxavian Harris. Kiffin was their former coach at Ole Miss just a season ago, but things could get a little tricky for the reunion.
In two seasons, Wright accumulated 1,000 receiving yards while playing under Kiffin at Ole Miss. Harris spent all four years with the Rebels and played in 52 games, 25 of which he started. He racked up 122 tackles, 5.5 sacks, a forced fumble, an interception, and 3 pass breakups. Not to mention, Tampa Bay Buccaneers edge Jack Pyburn will return to sU if not on an NFL roster by September 1. Kiffin is playing by his own rules now.
On Tuesday, the SEC released a statement on social media regarding the matter at hand. "Individuals who choose to leave college and sign professional playing contracts, and compete professionally should not then be permitted to return to college competition," the statement read.

#sporting #harris #statement

Days after the SEC adopted a ruling that barred former professional athletes from returning to college sports, a Dallas judge has signed an order that holds the NCAA, SEC and SEC commissioner Greg Sankey from keeping three athletes from returning to the college level, according to multiple reports on Thursday, Aug. 27.
The NCAA, SEC and Sankey were all named in the order signed by judge Martin Hoffman. Current NFL players Cowboys receiver Jordan Hudson, Chiefs linebacker Wesley Bissainthe and Chiefs receiver Omari Evans were among 41 players named as plaintiffs in the order, along with former student-athletes from men's and women's college basketball.
REQUIRED READING: Lane Kiffin defends recruiting 5th-year players, says they'll 'play for you or someone else'
The judge's order is the first that specifically names a conference when it comes to holding professional players from returning to college football. The order comes after each Power Four conference adopted rules against teams signing former professional players, along with harsh punishments for any team that violates the rule.
LSU football has already landed commitments from Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, two players who signed undrafted free agent contracts with NFL teams. Former Tigers edge rusher Jack Pyburn also plans to re-join LSU if he fails to make the Buccaneers' roster, per reports.

#signed