Hitchens was released by Kansas City on Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.
Hitchens tallied 80 tackles (41 solo) over 15 appearances in 2021. The veteran linebacker carried a $12.6 million cap hit for 2022, so Kansas City will save $8.4 million in cap space by releasing him, per Lukas Weese of the Athletic. The 2014 fourth-round pick of the Cowboys was a consistent producer in all four of his seasons with Kansas City and figures to draw interest in free agency this offseason.
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Chiefs' Anthony Hitchens: Eight stops, pick in Thursday's win
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Hitchens had eight tackles (five solo), an interception, a pass defensed and a quarterback hit in Thursday's 34-28 overtime win over the Chargers.
Hitchens picked off Justin Herbert in Chiefs territory to end the Chargers' second drive of the game. In addition to notching his first interception since his rookie year in 2014, Hitchens also put forth his second-highest tackle total of the season, bested only by the 12 stops he posted against Baltimore back in Week 2.
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Chiefs' Anthony Hitchens: Seven stops in return to action
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Hitchens notched seven tackles (two solo) during Sunday's 13-7 win over the Packers.
Hitchens returned from a two-game absence to record his highest tackle output since Week 2. On the season, the 27-year-old linebacker has totaled 39 tackles through seven appearances, but barring one double-digit tackle outing, he hasn't been a strong IDP play.
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Chiefs' Anthony Hitchens: Clear of injury
Rotowire
Hitchens (triceps) was a full participant at Wednesday's practice.
Hitchens was unavailable for the past two games due to the triceps injury, but it appears he'll return to action for Week 9. The 29-year-old has 32 tackles (22 solo) and one pass defensed in six games this season.
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Chiefs' Anthony Hitchens: Sitting out Monday night
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Hitchens (triceps) has been ruled out for Monday night's game against the Giants, Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star reports.
Hitchens has already missed one game with the issue and was unable to practice again this week. Ben Niemann should fill in once again.
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Chiefs' Anthony Hitchens: Misses practice Wednesday
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Hitchens (elbow) was unable to practice for the Chiefs on Wednesday.
Hitchens injured his elbow and was forced to exit the Chiefs' Week 6 win against Washington early. In relief for the linebacker, Ben Niemann came in and replaced Hitchens for the rest of the game. After missing practice Wednesday, it's likely Hitchens won't be available Sunday for the Chiefs' matchup with the Titans. Expect Niemann to continue to start unless Hitchens is able to suit up.
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Chiefs' Anthony Hitchens: Ruled out Sunday
Rotowire
Hitchens (elbow) has been ruled out of Sunday's game against Washington.
Hitchens suffered an elbow injury in the first half, but now it has been confirmed that he won't return to the contest. Depending on the severity of the injury, it remains to be seen if he'll be available for next Saturday's game against the Texans. Expect Ben Niemann to replace Hitchens while he's sidelined.
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Chiefs' Anthony Hitchens: Ready to face Washington
Rotowire
Hitchens (knee) is active for Sunday's matchup against Washington, Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star reports.
Hitchens suffered a knee injury in the team's Week 5 loss to the Bills. However, he returned to a full practice Friday and is now ready to take on Washington. Hitchens has recorded 31 tackles through five contests on the season.
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Chiefs' Anthony Hitchens: Big tackling night
Rotowire
Hitchens posted 12 tackles (nine solo) in Sunday's 36-35 loss to the Ravens.
Hitchens led the team in tackles as the Ravens ran the ball 41 times. The veteran linebacker reached double-digit tackles just once last year, and he's tough to depend on as a fantasy linebacker considering how much teams need to throw the ball against the Chiefs.
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Chiefs' Anthony Hitchens: Shifts to COVID-19 list
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Hitchens was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.
Hitchens either tested positive for the virus or came into close contact with an infected person. If it's the latter, he'll have a chance to play in this Sunday's game against the Falcons, pending the proper number of negative tests. Ben Niemann is slated to start at middle linebacker if Hitchens is unable to go.
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Chiefs' Anthony Hitchens: Returns to action Sunday
Rotowire
Hitchens (hand) returned to Sunday's game against the Raiders, Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.
The 28-year-old exited during the first half due to the hand injury and was questionable to return, but he was able to retake the field. Hitchens leads the defense with nine tackles (seven solo) with the Chiefs trailing 40-32 at the two-minute warning.
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Chiefs' Anthony Hitchens: Dealing with injury
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Hitchens (hand) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Raiders.
The specifics of the injury remain unclear, but, the veteran was forced to leave the contest early in the second quarter. As long as Hitchens is sidelined, look for Ben Niemann to take over as the team's middle linebacker.
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Chiefs' Anthony Hitchens: Tackle total dips in 2019
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Hitchens finished 2019 with 88 tackles (51 solo), two sacks and a forced fumble during the 2019 season.
The Chiefs' coaching staff made a successful attempt to limit Hitchens' defensive snaps to keep him healthy, sitting him for 239 more snaps than he rested during 2018. Hitchens did miss one game in the middle of the season due to a groin issue, but the seventh-year linebacker was able to stay on the field for most of 2019. Unfortunately, the reduced snap count also detracted from his fantasy value as an IDP linebacker. It seems unlikely that the staff would opt to increase his volume again next year, so it may be best to view his value near what it was in 2019.
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Chiefs' Anthony Hitchens: Posts season-high tackle total
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Hitchens racked up a team-best and season-high 10 tackles (two solo) Monday against the Chargers.
Hitchens has seen a major drop in his fantasy value with the move from middle linebacker to outside linebacker during the offseason. Averaging just 6.1 tackles per contest and having not recorded an interception this season, Hitchens likely remains off the fantasy radar in most formats until he can prove Monday's effort wasn't a one-time display.
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Chiefs' Anthony Hitchens: Marks return with two sacks
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Hitchens had six tackles (five solo), two sacks and a forced fumble in Thursday's 30-6 win over the Broncos.
Hitchens missed last week's loss to the Texans but returned in resounding fashion Thursday to record his first sacks since 2016. The 27-year-old has 33 tackles (24 solo) in six games.
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Chiefs' Anthony Hitchens: Marked as limited participant
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Hitchens (groin) was listed as a limited participant in Monday's practice estimate.
Hitchens was limited for every practice last week but ended up watching from the sidelines during this past Sunday's 31-24 loss to the Texans. He'll need get on the field in some capacity if/when the Chiefs host actual practices Tuesday and Wednesday in order to have a chance at playing Thursday against the Broncos.
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Chiefs' Anthony Hitchens: Questionable against Texans
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Hitchens (groin) is officially questionable for Sunday's matchup with Houston.
Hitchens has been able to put in a trio of limited practices this week after picking up the groin injury in last week's loss to the Colts.
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Chiefs' Anthony Hitchens: Strong showing in loss
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Hitchens racked up 12 tackles (five solo) during Sunday's 38-31 loss to the Seahawks.
Hitchens logged his second straight game with double-digit tackles, and he performed admirably against Seattle's run-heavy offense. The 26-year-old has been a valuable IDP asset this season, with 126 tackles through 14 games.
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Chiefs' Anthony Hitchens: Practices in full
Rotowire
Hitchens (ribs) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
Hitchens sat out a Week 10 win over the Cardinals due to a ribs injury, but he appears to have fully recovered. Barring any setbacks, expect Hitchens to return to his usual starting role during Monday's game against the Rams.
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Chiefs' Anthony Hitchens: Sidelined despite active status
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Hitchens was active but didn't play in Sunday's game against Arizona, Brooke Pryor of The Kansas City Star reports.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said that Hitchens was only active so that he could play in an emergency situation. Hitchens had been questionable with a rib injury entering Sunday's game, and it seems he's not back to 100 percent quite yet. For the time being he's expected to play against the Rams in Week 11, Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports. Look for Dorian O'Daniel or Ben Niemann to see some extra snaps if Hitchens is limited next week.
