Tony Moeaki released by Kansas City Chiefs on injury settlement
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Moeaki (81) runs the ball as Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) attempts the defense in the second half of the game against the Carolina Panthers at Arrowhead Stadium. The Kansas City Chiefs won 27-21. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
The Kansas City Chiefs are the only remaining undefeated team in the NFL and will almost certainly notch another win to their total this week at home against the Cleveland Browns. Therefore, I can’t really feel sorry for the loudest fans in the NFL. But I do feel sorry for the tight ends on the roster, and their lack of a good pass-catching tight end due to injuries could hurt this team in the long run. Dwayne Bowe is a really good receiver, but Donnie Avery is too unreliable to be the No. 2 option in the passing attack, especially one run by a limited QB in Alex Smith.
Tony Moeaki is one of the most disappointing stories in the NFL but to not fault of his own. The man is talented and certainly showed that talent in a solid 2010 season, but he’s also rarely ever healthy. Moeaki missed the entire 2011 campaign and was placed on the injured reserve before the 2013 season even started with a fractured shoulder. And even though he is set to return at around Week 11, the National Football Post’s Aaron Wilson reports that the Kansas City Chiefs have waived Moeaki off of the injured reserve on an injury settlement. Somebody is going to pick Moeaki up, but the question is, who is willing to take a flier on a TE who is that injury prone? Who really needs a TE? But if Jake Ballard is getting looks, then Moeaki should too.
Hopefully Chiefs rookie TE Travis Kelce doesn’t follow Moeaki’s footsteps as a talented pass-catching TE who just can’t seem to stay healthy. Kelce is on the injured reserve after a nagging knee injury that was much worse than most of us thought. The talented prospect out of Cincinnati was expected to be a key player as a rook, but the injury had other plans for him this season.
Anyone see a possible fit out there for Moeaki? Arizona maybe? They worked out Ballard before deciding that he wasn’t healthy enough to sign. If anyone adds Moeaki, then it will likely be in about a week or so. Late enough for him to be closer to returning but also early enough to give him time to learn the system.
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