![T. J. Ward [Image by Jeffrey Beall|Wikimedia Commons| Cropped | CC BY- 3.0 ]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2017/9/2/660x290/b_502x220x82/t-j-ward-image-by-jeffrey-beallwikimedia-commons-cropped-cc-by-30_1548449.jpg "T. J. Ward [Image by Jeffrey Beall|Wikimedia Commons| Cropped | CC BY- 3.0 ]")
With yesterday being the big day where NFL teams had to cut down their roster to 53 players, a ton of moves took place across the league. The AFC West saw the Oakland Raiders, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers release notable names as part of roster cutdowns.
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders cut linebacker Ben Heeney, who was their fifth-round pick in the 2015 draft. Last season, Henney only played four games as his season was cut short by an ankle injury that put him on injured reserve. He was once again injured this offseason, as the team decided to part ways with him.
Linebacker IK Enemkpali who also cut by the team. He is best known for being the player who punched former New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith in the jaw back in 2015, causing him to lose the starting job to Ryan Fitzpatrick when he was finally healthy again.
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos released the veteran safety and Pro Bowler TJ Ward. Ward had been a key part of the Broncos top defense over the past three seasons as the team's starting strong safety. In those three years, he made the Pro Bowl twice and helped the team win Super Bowl 50. Now 2016 third-round pick Justin Simmons will replace the 30-year-old as the starter.
They also cut Michael Schofield, the team's third-round pick in the 2014 NFL draft.
In his three seasons, Schofield started all 29 games he played on the offensive line. However, he could not transition to the Broncos new offensive line scheme.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs cut tight end Gavin Escobar, who many had projected to make the final roster. Escobar was a second-round pick by the Cowboys back in 2013 and did not contribute much during his four seasons in Dallas.
Kansas City also cut veteran linebacker Josh Mauga. Mauga has been a starting linebacker for the team in 2014 and 2015. However, he missed all of the last seasons after being placed on injured reserve with a hip injury.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers have cut Josh Lambo, who had been their kicker the last two season.
With Lambo gone that means that undrafted rookie from Georgia Southern Younghoe Koo has won the kicking competition. They also moved on from quarterback Kellen Clemens, who has served as the primary backup to Philip Rivers each of the last three seasons. Los Angeles also parted ways with veteran safety Dwight Lowery, who started all 16 games last season during his one year with the team.
