[Kansas City.com] Freddie Mitchell’s long-awaited Chiefs debut won’t happen tonight in their preseason finale at St. Louis – or anytime soon, if it happens at all.

Mitchell, a veteran wide receiver, said Thursday that the Chiefs told him he would be released.

“They said it was a business decision,” Mitchell said. “It wasn’t about my athletic ability or anything else. They know I have a tear in my meniscus. There were no bridges burned. I’m going to get ready to play, and maybe I’ll be back. I’m open to (32) teams right now, and there’s no telling what I’ll do. But I still want to be a Chief.”

Coach Dick Vermeil wasn’t available for comment. But he said this week that the Chiefs were eager to see him play against the Rams.

Mitchell, 26, injured his knee early in training camp and missed the first three preseason games. He returned to practice only this week.

Mitchell declined to have arthroscopic surgery at the time as the Chiefs requested. He indicated he thought he would be able to play sooner by letting the knee mend on its own but said he would have had the surgery had the Chiefs indicated he wouldn’t have to compete for a roster spot.