Kansas City Chiefs Cut Four Players Ahead of Training Camp for Non-Participation
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In a surprising move ahead of their 2025 training camp, the Kansas City Chiefs have terminated the contracts of four players who were absent from the team’s mandatory minicamp practice on June 18, 2025. The players released are tight end Tre Watson, wide receiver Rashee Rice, wide receiver Justyn Ross, and running back Elijah Mitchell. The decision, reported by Arrowhead Pride and Yahoo Sports, underscores the organization’s emphasis on commitment and readiness as they prepare to defend their back-to-back Super Bowl titles.
The absence of these players during the second day of minicamp at the Chiefs’ Truman Sports Complex facility raised concerns within the coaching staff. Rashee Rice’s absence was confirmed to be due to personal reasons, while Justyn Ross missed practice following a hard fall during drills on June 17. No specific reasons were provided for the absences of Tre Watson and Elijah Mitchell, but their non-participation in the mandatory session appears to have prompted the team’s swift action.
Head coach Andy Reid addressed the cuts in a press conference, stating, “We value dedication and accountability. While we regret losing talented players, our focus remains on building a cohesive unit ready for the challenges ahead.” The Chiefs’ roster decisions reflect their high expectations, particularly as they aim to maintain their dominance in the AFC.
Notably, other players faced limited participation during the same practice. Rookie tight end Jake Briningstool and cornerback Kristian Fulton were present but did not wear helmets, suggesting they were managing health concerns or recovering from minor injuries. Meanwhile, tight end Jared Wiley, who is rehabbing a torn ACL sustained in November 2024, participated in individual drills with protective taping, demonstrating his commitment despite ongoing recovery.
The release of Watson, Rice, Ross, and Mitchell creates immediate roster gaps, particularly at wide receiver and tight end, where depth is critical. The Chiefs are expected to explore free-agent signings or promote practice squad players to fill these voids before training camp begins. Fans and analysts alike are speculating about potential replacements, with social media buzzing about the team’s next moves.
This development serves as a reminder of the NFL’s competitive nature, where even talented players must consistently prove their value. As the Chiefs gear up for the 2025 season, their focus on discipline and preparation signals their intent to pursue a historic three-peat. Further updates on roster changes and player statuses are anticipated as training camp approaches.
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Can you believe it? A charming, dynamic cheerleader from the Green Bay Packers is "exploding" and dragging a team player to court for "unforgivable" behaviors! Abigale Licciardi – the star of the Packers Cheer Squad – has officially filed a lawsuit, and the drama behind it is stirring up NFL fans! Could this be the "biggest scandal" in Packers history? Read now to discover the "scorching" details!
Abigale Licciardi, a professional cheerleader for the American football team Green Bay Packers in the NFL, is a prominent member of the Packers Cheer Squad group. She is a former student at the University of Wisconsin, where she participated in the local cheer squad and dance activities. Before that, Abigale was a dancer for NBA events and holds a bachelor's degree in communications from Marquette University. Abigale is active on social media, often sharing about games at Lambeau Field, community activities, and her role as a brand ambassador for the Packers. As part of the Packers Cheer Squad team consisting of about 47 members (combining male and female), Abigale participates in fan interactions, charity events like "Dream On 3," and performances at Packers games. She has an Instagram account (@abigalelicciardi) with posts about cheer life and a TikTok (@abigale_packers) where she shares videos about game days and dance routines. Before joining the Packers, she worked at a local event company, proving her versatility and passion.
But the "nightmare" struck when Abigale got "entangled" with a Packers player! That's Mike Thornton, a backup defensive end who rarely plays for the Packers – a guy who's practically "anonymous" to fans, only playing sporadically on special teams and never a pillar. Thornton, 29 years old, has been married since 2021 to his wife, a community nurse, and they have two young children (one boy and one girl). Yet, according to Abigale's lawsuit, Thornton has been "flirting" with her recklessly, despite his happy family life!
The "explosion" happened when Thornton started sending "sweet" messages to Abigale via Instagram, praising her smile and energy after performances. At first, Abigale thought it was just friendly praise from a teammate, but things quickly "crossed the line" into harassment! Thornton called her in the middle of the night – sometimes at 1-2 a.m. – to "share" about playing pressures, invite her for private dinners, and even send "suggestive" videos filmed at the gym! Abigale stated in the lawsuit: "He knows I only focus on my career and the team, but he won't stop. Those midnight calls make me anxious and stressed, severely affecting my performance!"
According to insider sources, Thornton has been "stalking" Abigale since preseason, frequently "lingering" at community events she attends, and intentionally "creating situations" to approach her. Thornton's wife, upon learning, went "crazy" and threatened to break up, but the guy remains "blind"! The Packers are "shaken" by this scandal: The team management has temporarily isolated Thornton for investigation, while fans are divided – one side defends Abigale's "brave accusation," the other suspects it's a "staged script." The NFL league is also intervening, which could lead to heavy fines or removal from the roster!
Abigale, with her "queen" image on TikTok and Instagram, is now becoming a "victim" of harassment – a thorny issue in the sports world! How will the court punish Thornton? And will the Packers "clean up" the team to protect their cheerleaders? Don't miss out – follow now for the next "drama" update! What do you think about this case, comment below!
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