Chiefs Finally Elevate Fan Favorite WR for Week 9 vs. Buccaneers

The Kansas City Chiefs will utilize both practice squad elevations ahead of the Monday Night Football matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“Chiefs elevate [wide receiver] Justyn Ross, [cornerback] Nic Jones,” relayed KPRC 2 NFL insider Aaron Wilson on X.

Not long after, FOX Sports NFL insider Jordan Schultz confirmed Ross’ promotion, noting that “this will be his first game of the season on the active roster.”

The Chiefs have scarcely called upon practice squad elevations in 2024, but they recently bucked that trend when they elevated wide receiver/returner Montrell Washington for Week 8. With injuries at wide receiver and cornerback, it will be Ross and Jones who finally get their opportunity in Week 9.

On the other sideline, the Buccaneers also elevated veteran wide receiver Marquez Callaway and linebacker Vi Jones, per their website.

Jones is former undrafted free agent of the Seattle Seahawks in 2022 that will be making his Bucs debut in Week 9. Callaway is another former UDFA that made a name for himself with the New Orleans Saints. He broke out for 698 receiving yards in 2021 but has failed to replicate that level of production since.

Justyn Ross Finds New Life With Chiefs in Week 9

After often being the subject of a ton of fan hype since joining the organization, Ross has become an afterthought in 2024.

The third-year prospect failed to make the 53-man roster after training camp and the preseason, and to display how he’s currently viewed around the league, the former Clemson star also went unclaimed on waivers. From there, he found a home on the Kansas City practice squad and has worked and waited patiently ever since — and it’s taken a lot to get to this point.

Despite several injuries at the wide receiver position, the Chiefs have passed up a Ross elevation or active roster signing for reunions like JuJu Smith-Schuster and Jody Fortson, as well as a new addition like DeAndre Hopkins. They even chose Washington over the 6-foot-4 pass-catcher last week, which surprised many around the KC community.

Now, Ross has finally done enough to earn his shot. Will this elevation bring new life into his Chiefs’ career?

Ross caught 6-of-11 targets for 53 yards and two first downs over the course of 10 appearances in 2023, according to Pro Football Reference. He also suited up for two playoff outings last winter but was not targeted by quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Can Chiefs CB Nic Jones Seize the Moment in Year 2?

Although Ross is the headliner here, Nic Jones might have the greater opportunity with starting cornerback Jaylen Watson done for the season and backup Nazeeh Johnson battling a concussion.

Jones was selected in the seventh round of the 2023 draft and turned heads early at camp as a rookie. The following summer, however, he was outshined by others and that led to the CB prospect becoming a surprise cut.

Like Ross, Jones re-signed to the practice squad after going unclaimed on waivers.

Although he’ll likely only serve as depth in Week 9, you never know when your number will get called. If Jones is utilized within Steve Spagnuolo’s defense against the Bucs, it could be his chance to reclaim his role inside this system.

Jones appeared in 13 games with the Chiefs as a rookie, logging 67 snaps on defense and another 111 on special teams.