The Kansas City Chiefs are gearing up for their second preseason game this Saturday, hitting the road to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in what’s shaping up to be a critical evaluation for their 2026 roster. It’s go-time at 6:30 P.M. Arrowhead time, broadcast on KSHB 41, and trust me, there’s more at stake than just exhibition football after that 20-12 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1.
Cyrus Allen Is Heating Up: What Does It Mean for Week 1?
Alright, let’s talk about Cyrus Allen. In that first preseason outing, the guy hauled in two receptions for 20 yards. Not earth-shattering, maybe, but listen, he’s been absolutely crushing it in training camp, picking up serious momentum. Now, Chiefs starter Justin Fields is set to play more snaps this week, along with the projected starters, which means Allen is gonna get real looks with the big boys. The buzz around him is intense, with many tagging him for a breakout rookie season because of the variety of skills he’s shown. If he gets a big share of targets this Saturday, you can bet your last dollar he’s going to be squarely on everyone’s radar when Week 1 rolls around. This game is huge for showing how the Chiefs really view him.
Fifth-Round Rookie Emmett Johnson Is Making a Name for Himself
The running back room in Kansas City? It’s been crowded. But last week, fifth-round rookie Emmett Johnson absolutely exploded onto the scene. He flashed some insane vision and quickness, racking up 59 yards on 12 carries against the Rams. Brashard Smith and Emari Demercado were also battling it out, but Johnson simply stole the show. We all know Kenneth Walker owns that backfield, no doubt, but guess who came out as the first back behind him at camp this week? Yep, Emmett Johnson. That’s a massive signal, folks: he’s on his way to becoming the backup running back this season and could snatch a much larger role in that offense.
The Intriguing Tight End Battle Heats Up
One of the most fascinating battles for a roster spot right now is the depth at tight end. Who’s backing up Travis Kelce? Last weekend, Noah Gray, Jake Briningstool, Jared Wiley, and Tre Watson all caught passes, with Briningstool leading the pack with three receptions for 29 yards. Gray, with his experience, is still seen as the frontrunner, but this young trio is putting some serious pressure on him for playing time. Briningstool has been a beast in camp and the preseason, showing off his ability to catch the ball and just fit seamlessly into the offense. And remember Wiley? He missed almost all of the 2025 season with an injury, but he’s been flashing in camp and even made a ridiculous sideline catch last week. This Saturday is another chance for these guys to prove they belong.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Arrowhead Pride.
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