The Kansas City Chiefs will take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2 of the NFL preseason on Saturday in Tampa Bay.
The game will kick off at 6:30 P.M. Arrowhead time and be broadcast on KSHB 41 for local viewers.
The Chiefs lost the first preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams 20-12, but the team showed tremendous glimpses of how the 2026 roster could shape up.
There will be plenty to watch this week as the Chiefs break from training camp in St. Joseph, Missouri, and begin to prepare for the regular
season.
Here are five things to watch:
1. Cyrus Allen targets
In the Chiefs’ first preseason game, Allen tallied two receptions for 20 yards, but he has picked up steam in training camp. It will be worth watching if he will gain more targets in Week 2 of the preseason. Justin Fields will once again be the Chiefs starter against the Buccaneers, but it should be expected that he and the Chiefs’ projected starters will play more snaps in preparation for the season.
Allen has shown a variety of skills in camp and the preseason so far, and many have him pegged for a breakout rookie season. This week could tell us a lot about how the Chiefs fully view Allen, and if he does end up with a large share of targets, then he should be on everyone’s radar come week one.
2. Emmett Johnson: RB2?
The Chiefs running back room has been crowded so far during camp and the preseason, but last week, fifth-round rookie Emmett Johnson flashed with his 12 carries and 59 yards.
Brashard Smith and Emari Demercado were both in the mix during camp and into preseason Week 1, but Johnson stole the show, showing vision and quickness the Chiefs haven’t seen at the position in some time.
The room obviously belongs to Kenneth Walker, but when Johnson came out as the first back behind him this week at camp, it likely signified that he is on his way to becoming the backup running back this season, and could have a larger role within the offense.
3. Backup Tight Ends
One of the more intriguing roster battles for the team is how depth at tight end will end up, and all of the challenges to be tight end two received targets and recorded receptions in week one of the preseason.
Noah Gray, Jake Briningstool, Jared Wiley, and Tre Watson all caught passes last weekend, with Briningstool leading the way with three receptions for 29 yards.
Due to his experience, Gray is still the leader of the pack to back up Travis Kelce this season, but the young trio is pushing for more playing time.
Briningstool has impressed in camp and the preseason so far with his ability to catch the ball and flow within the offense. After missing most of the 2025 season with injury, Wylie has flashed in camp and had a terrific sideline catch in week one of the preseason.
When mixed in, Watson has made plays, but he will have a long way to climb.
This week all eyes will likely be on Briningstool and Wylie, who both seem to be competing for the third tight end spot. Neither has shown much prowess in run blocking — which likely boosts Gray — but with their height and size, either has a chance to become the Chiefs’ third tight end and compete for a spot on the active roster.
4. The offensive line without Josh Simmons
Late in the week, the Chiefs offensive line got shaken up even more than it was with starting right guard Trey Smith (Hip) missing time.
Josh Simmons was out of practice towards the end of the week with a back injury — yikes — and the Chiefs lineup was from left to right: Jaylon Moore, Kingsley Suamataia, Creed Humphrey, Mike Caliendo, and Kahlil Benson.
This lineup stands out for multiple reasons, but the most notable is Benson sliding back out to right tackle, where he began training camp.
When Smith went down, Benson slid inside to guard while Moore moved up to first-team tackle, but with multiple key starters down, Moore will now slide to the blindside while Benson bumps back out to right tackle and Caliendo slides into the starting rotation.
Chiefs fans had scoffed at Moore for most of camp for being on the second team behind the undrafted rookie, but with the slew of injuries, he has displayed his value and versatility already.
Regardless of what Chiefs Kingdom thinks of Caliendo, he has been a player the Chiefs have leaned on when the depth of the interior has crumbled, and he will once again be at the forefront of the offensive line.
Time will only tell when the Chiefs’ full starting front five will be back, but in the meantime they will rely on the experience of their depth.
5. Mansoor Delane
Mansoor Delane spent most of training camp in a yellow non-contact jersey, drawing angst from much of the Kingdom, but earlier this week he replaced the yellow with a white jersey and fully entered practice.
The Chiefs traded up to get Delane with the sixth overall pick in the draft, but his inability to participate fully in practice has been a cause for concern for many.
These concerns were dashed away this week, as Delane suited up and appeared to perform well during his practice repetitions.
All eyes will be on the highly touted rookie corner on Saturday to see if he makes his professional debut in Tampa Bay; defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said head coach Andy Reid needed to make that call earlier this week.
