Defensive tackle Amon Gordon and linebacker Leon Williams were cut Friday night by the Kansas City Chiefs, who made 21 moves to reach the NFL’s mandated roster limit.

Along with cutting the two veterans, Kansas City waived 17 players and placed defensive back De’Quan Menzie and quarterback Alex Tanney on injured reserve. Menzie was a fifth-round draft pick out of Alabama who has missed considerable time with a hip injury.

Linebacker Tamba Hali does not count against the roster limit because he’s suspended for the season opener Sept. 9 against Atlanta for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy.

The fact that Gordon was cut and defensive lineman Brandon Bair was waived means the Chiefs could be close to reuniting with Shaun Smith, who would provide a veteran defensive tackle to help mentor first-round draft pick Dontari Poe. Smith reportedly worked out for Kansas City and both sides have expressed interest after he was waived by the Tennessee Titans.

One of the pleasant surprises of training camp was Nate Eachus, an undersized running back out of Colgate who managed to win over players and fans with his spirited play. Eachus bulldozed his way for 98 yards rushing against the Seahawks and 99 yards on Thursday night against Green Bay.

His place on the roster could be tenuous, though. Several more cuts could come down over the weekend as the Chiefs consider other players who were let loose by their teams.

Fourth-year safety Donald Washington was waived by Kansas City after appearing in seven games last season, mostly on special teams. That opened up a spot in the defensive backfield for former Kansas State safety Tysyn Hartman, who made the team as undrafted free agent.

Other players waived by the Chiefs include fullback Patrick DiMarco; defensive backs Neiko Thorpe, Terrance Parks, Chandler Fenner and Mikail Baker; offensive lineman Darryl Harris, Lucas Patterson, Rob Bruggeman and Rich Ranglin; defensive lineman Jerome Long; linebacker Gabe Miller; and wide receivers Jamar Newsome, Josh Bellamy and Junior Hemingway.

Long and Hemingway were the Chiefs’ seventh-round picks, which means three of their eight draft choices were either cut or placed on injured reserve. Running back Cyrus Gray, a sixth-round selection, made the team despite missing a large chunk of practice with a hamstring injury.

Gray gives the Chiefs five running backs and no fullbacks on the initial 53-man roster.

— Associated Press —