For the first padded practice of 2024 KC Chiefs training camp, newly signed DE Owen Carney was spotted with LB Luquay Washington being waived.
During a training camp practice this summer, the Kansas City Chiefs donned pads for the first time. A fresh face was on the team on Friday as the players took the field after working out in the morning with their teammates.
Owen Carney, an outside linebacker and defensive end, has been signed by the defending Super Bowl champions, according to Nick Jacobs of KSHB 41 in Kansas City. To create room on the roster for Carney, the team also cut linebacker Luquay Washington.
Carney is excited about this new opportunity, having had brief spells with the Cincinnati Bengals and Miami Dolphins. After completing his college career, the former Illinois star signed with Miami and participated in their rookie minicamp and offseason program. After missing out on their 53-man roster to begin the season, he signed a reserve/futures deal with Cincinnati prior to the 2023 season. He was waived by the Bengals in late August.
The 25-year-old now wants to stay in Kansas City and contribute to the team’s 91-man roster. During his five-year Fighting Illini collegiate tenure, he racked up 116 tackles (21.5 for loss), 16 sacks, and three interceptions. After starting every game at outside linebacker, his 6.5-sack senior performance was sufficient to earn him an honorable mention spot on the All-Big Ten team.
Regretfully, Washington’s first NFL offseason ends abruptly late in his tenure with the Chiefs. The undrafted Central Connecticut linebacker, who was earlier reported to be a Los Angeles Charger, instead reached a rookie minicamp pact with Kansas City.
Washington called the signing “an amazing feeling,” according to a Rob Gullo piece published in the New Britain Herald in April.
Washington remarked, “It was a great moment, basically my dreams coming true.” Since I was a young child, I had always dreamed about this day. It was therefore the happiest feeling in the world when they extended the contract offer to me to play.
Washington just misses out on the chance to participate in the preseason despite having a well-defined linebacker rotation at the top and a number of talented guys fighting for reserve positions. Carney enters a position room with lots of possibilities as well. despite Charles Omenihu being listed as physically incapable of performing.
As training progresses, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will have a new player to guide for the time being.