Jim Mancari , Contributor

The Kansas City Chiefs released tight end Kevin Boss, as well as wide receiver Steve Breaston, as new head coach Andy Reid attempts to overhaul the roster.

With the uncertainty surrounding the Giants’ tight end position, Boss might become a cheap candidate to fill that role.

He signed a three-year, $9 million deal last offseason with the Chiefs. However, he suffered a season-ending concussion in Week 2 after catching three passes for 65 yards all year.

Boss took over for the injured Jeremy Shockey in 2007. His 43-yard catch in the Super Bowl that season against the Patriots set up Big Blue’s first touchdown.

Boss thrived in a starting role for the Giants the next three seasons, catching 16 touchdown passes and being a reliable target for Eli Manning.

His production slipped during one season in Oakland after he signed a four-year, $16 million deal with the Raiders. He was released and then signed the contract with the Chiefs last March.

Boss was actually released with tags of “Failed Physical” and “Failure to Disclose Physical Condition.” This may raise some red flags for interested teams.

The Giants will look to bring in an experienced tight end if the team fails to work out a deal with Martellus Bennett. Boss fits that bill when healthy, but his concussion could be cause for concern.

At some point though, the Giants are going to have to gamble on high-risk, high-reward type players in order to meet the salary cap. Based on his lack of production for the Raiders in 2011 and missing 14 games last season, Boss’ price tag should drop significantly.

Big Blue certainly would like Bennett back. Boss probably won’t even be discussed as an option until all doors are closed on Bennett returning to the Giants.

But if the Giants have to take a risk on a player, someone with ties to the organization who has proven he can be productive would be the safest bet.

Boss back in blue may not be ideal, but at least he can be a stable option if needed. Again though, that’s if he’s healthy.

Re-signing the “Black Unicorn” would make any situation with Boss a non-issue, but with the questions about what’s going on with the wide receivers, the Giants are forced to keep all their options open.

Follow Jim Mancari on Twitter @JMMancari.