“Chiefs Sign Dual-Threat RB Michael Wiley to Boost Running Back Depth Amid Injury Shuffle”

The Kansas City Chiefs are filling their remaining open training camp roster spot with second-year running back signing Michael Wiley, following the injury fallout of preseason Week 1.

“[The] Chiefs have signed former [Arizona] RB Michael Wiley,” Chiefs Digest beat reporter Matt Derrick relayed on the morning of August 12. “Haven’t seen him come down the hill yet, so not sure what number he’s wearing.”

Derrick then reminded that the “Chiefs also signed DE Nate Matlack (57) yesterday. That fills the roster with S Deon Bush and DE Janarius Robinson landing on IR.”

Kansas City confirmed Bush and Robinson would be transferred to the injured reserve on the evening of August 11, after they were both forced to exit the first preseason outing on Saturday night. After the Matlack news, that left one open spot on the 91-man training camp and preseason roster.

It appears Wiley will be given the opportunity to replace one of the injured veterans, despite playing a different position. Chiefs team reporter Matt McMullen confirmed the Wiley signing shortly after Derrick reported it, adding: “Wiley, who spent last season on the [Washington] Commanders’ practice squad, played his college ball at Arizona from 2019-23.”

New Chiefs Camp Signing Michael Wiley Displayed Receiving Potential at Arizona

Wiley doesn’t have much NFL experience as a 2024 UDFA who spent his rookie year on the Commanders’ practice squad. But he was a five-year contributor at Arizona.

In 49 career collegiate appearances and 336 career carries, Wiley rushed for over 1,700 yards and 5.1 yards per carry. His real potential came as a dual-threat runner and receiver, however, compiling 2,862 scrimmage yards and 28 total touchdowns.

During his best season in 2022, Wiley rushed for 771 yards and added another 349 yards through the air, combining for 1,120 scrimmage yards. All three totals were career-highs, and the 5-foot-11 back also broke the plane for 11 combined touchdowns that year.

Besides his dual-threat potential, Wiley brings another element to the table as a part-time kick returner at Arizona.

Over his 49 collegiate appearances, Wiley returned 9 kickoffs for a total of 172 yards (19.1 yards per return). He contributed more than 3,000 total all-purpose yards with Arizona.

During his three preseason outings in Washington, Wiley carried the ball 17 times for 67 yards (3.94 yards per carry) and 2 touchdowns, with 6 receptions for 37 yards and 1 fumble (recovered it himself). He did not return any kickoffs for the Commanders.

Chiefs’ Wiley Addition Creates More Preseason Competition for Carson Steele & Elijah Mitchell

The Wiley addition comes as a bit of a surprise, being that the Chiefs already have a pretty well-stocked running back room behind Isiah Pacheco.

Assuming veteran Kareem Hunt and drafted camp standout Brashard Smith make the Week 1 roster, that leaves one more potential RB/returner role for a newcomer like Wiley. And he’ll face stiff competition in free agent pickup Elijah Mitchell, 2024 fan favorite UDFA Carson Steele, and 2025 UDFA Elijah Young.

There have been some rumblings that the Chiefs’ rushing depth has left a lot to be desired at training camp, but the group seemed to do well enough during the initial preseason outing.

Outside of Pacheco, Hunt and Steele led the way with yards per carry averages of 6.0 and 5.0 against the Arizona Cardinals, respectively, with Mitchell at 3.3 YPC and Smith at 2.5 YPC — although the seventh-round rookie’s impact is expected to come in the passing game.

Similar to his place on the depth chart, Young pulled up the rear with the least total yardage on the ground (2.5 YPC).