Kyron Johnson’s dreams of playing in a regular-season NFL game are closer than ever.
Johnson, the former Kansas outside linebacker and defensive end, was among the 53 players who were in training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles to make the active roster when final cuts were made Tuesday.
A sixth-round pick in the NFL Draft in May, Johnson made the team because of his speed and his passion for playing special teams. He had 11 tackles during the Eagles’ three preseason games, including a team-high seven in the preseason finale against the Miami Dolphins, and played 95 snaps on defense and 35 snaps on special teams.
Meanwhile, wide receiver Kwamie Lassiter II, who went undrafted in the spring, was cut by the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday despite a strong preseason performance.
Lassiter caught 13 passes for 138 yards, returned three punts for a combined loss of 1 yard and returned two kickoffs for 44 yards. He played 121 snaps on offense and 19 on special teams during the three preseason games.
According to ESPN, the Bengals are interested in signing Lassiter to their practice squad should he clear waivers and not sign with another team.
Cincinnati also kept offensive tackle Hakeem Adeniji, though it cut running back Pooka Williams Jr. earlier in August. Other former Kansas players sticking in the NFL are defensive end Daniel Wise with the Washington Commanders and wide receiver Steven Sims Jr. with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Running back Khalil Herbert, who transferred from Kansas to Virginia Tech, will return to the Chicago Bears.
Defensive end Azur Kamara, who had only signed with the Kansas City Chiefs at the start of training camp, was cut.
