Downs injured his left knee a few days earlier as rookies and quarterbacks arrived ahead of veterans to St. Joseph for Chiefs camp at Missouri State Western University. The Jacksonville Jaguars signed him after the draft but waived him when active roster cuts were due. The Chiefs signed him to their practice squad two days later, and he eventually earned a promotion to the active roster on Christmas Eve. Downs signed a two-year, $1.845 million contract with the Chiefs. Derrick noted that Downs was a good bet to make the active roster at the end of the depth chart at tight end.