Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs are designating running back Isiah Pacheco (leg) to return from Injured Reserve on Tuesday, opening his 21-day window to officially activate him from IR. Pacheco fractured his right fibula on Sept. 15 and has been on IR ever since, but he's eligible to return whenever the Chiefs feel he's ready. While the 25-year-old can now return to practice, the Chiefs aren't going to rush him and he's unlikely to return for the Week 11 game this Sunday on the road against the Buffalo Bills. In a best-case scenario, the Chiefs are hoping to get Pacheco back toward the end of November, so they could use his entire 21-day practice window before activating him. Pacheco will be a must-start RB1 in fantasy when he returns, but until then, Kareem Hunt will continue to serve as the Chiefs' lead back. Hunt has been money with Pacheco out, averaging 15.6 half-PPR fantasy points in his six games.

Matt McMullen reports that Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid noted that wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) is "very close" to a return to the lineup. Smith-Schuster had a breakout game in Week 5 when he caught 7-of-8 targets for 130 yards in Kansas City's 26-13 victory over the New Orleans Saints. However, following the team's bye in Week 6, he participated in just seven snaps before injuring his hamstring. He then missed the next three contests, but it appears he'll return to the lineup over the next few weeks at the latest. It will be interesting to see how the 27-year-old is worked into the team's scheme with the acquisition of wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Additionally, tight end Travis Kelce's reemergence could put a damper on the veteran's work in the passing game. Fantasy managers will want to continue to monitor his status.

According to head coach Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (fibula) is "very close" to returning. Matt McMullen of the team reported the news. Pacheco has been on the shelf since fracturing his fibula back in Kansas City's Week 2 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. It's unclear exactly when he may again be active, but the third-year back has yet to resume practicing, so one figures he will not be active this upcoming weekend. Kareem Hunt has filled in well for the 25-year-old since the team acquired him back in Week 3, and he'll continue to lead the Chiefs' backfield in Pacheco's stead. While this weekend's matchup against the Buffalo Bills would be a long shot for the Rutgers product to suit up, fantasy managers who have held onto him should be rewarded in short order.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy had one catch for 11 yards in the 16-14 win against the Denver Broncos. Worthy finished the game with four targets but could not do much with his opportunities. The Chiefs remained undefeated by way of a last-second blocked field goal by Kansas City. Since the arrival of JuJu Smith-Schuster and DeAndre Hopkins, the rookie receiver has become a near afterthought in the Chiefs offense. The Chiefs style favors possession receivers, and Worthy has been more boom-or-bust so far. Worthy will look to be more successful in Week 11 against the Buffalo Bills, who rank sixth in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers this season. Starting Worthy in any matchup will be difficult until he displays consistency as a pass catcher.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins had four catches for 56 yards in the 16-14 win against the Denver Broncos. Hopkins was third on the team with five targets in this contest. The Chiefs narrowly escaped with the victory on a game-sealing blocked field goal by Kansas City. Hopkins did not produce as he did against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week, but he was still the undisputed WR1 for the Kansas City passing attack. Hopkins will look to produce in Week 11 against the Buffalo Bills, who rank sixth in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers this season. It will be a tough matchup for the veteran receiver, but he's talented enough to produce with Patrick Mahomes throwing him the ball. Fantasy managers should view Hopkins as a low-end WR2 heading into a tough matchup against the Bills.