Las Vegas Raiders: List of players who opted out in the AFC West
By Brad Weiss
![KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 30: Running back Damien Williams #26 of the Kansas City Chiefs rushes for a touchdown during the first half against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 30: Running back Damien Williams #26 of the Kansas City Chiefs rushes for a touchdown during the first half against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fjustblogbaby-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F1088463740-850x560-b21850a04d335ae55bfa513871d2fb9599cf85896076e0e8813f645fb0ead8c1.jpg)
List of players who opted out in the AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs
The team in the AFC West that was affected the most by the COVID-19 opt out scenario was the team that is expected to win the division in 2020. The Kansas City Chiefs not only had a star running back opt out for the 2020 season, but also had one of their starting offensive linemen, two players who were expected to help the team repeat as Super Bowl champs.
Here are the Kansas City Chiefs that opted out.
- Damian Williams
- Laurent Duvernay-Tardif
- Lucas Niang
Williams mom was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, and there is no way he could put himself in danger of getting this virus while trying to be by her side in her fight. He was expected to team with Clyde Edwards-Helaire to give the Chiefs a one-two punch at running back in 2020 after rushing for nearly 500 yards himself last season.
Duvernay-Tardif threw himself on the front lines of fighting this virus early on, as he is a doctor, and has seen what this pandemic can do. His loss to the Chiefs is a big one, but the fact that he is putting humanity ahead of his football career is downright courageous.