Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said on Wednesday that wide receiver Marquise Brown (shoulder) is nearing a return to the practice field. Brown suffered a sternoclavicular joint dislocation back in the preseason and hasn't played at all in 2024 for KC, but he was projected to return to practice in mid-December. "He's getting close," said Reid. "He's champing at the bit to get back out there, but he's got to visit with the doctors and make sure that he gets clearance there, but I'd probably say he's getting close. [I] can't give you a date. I don't know a date on it, but he says he feels great." Hollywood won't play in Week 15 against the Cleveland Browns, but a return in the final three games of the regular season isn't out of the question. Expecting the 27-year-old to contribute for fantasy managers in the playoffs could be another thing entirely.

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said that kicker Harrison Butker (knee) will return to practice on Wednesday, but his status for the Week 15 contest on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns is still up in the air. Butker's 21-day practice window to return from Injured Reserve is being opened, but the Chiefs don't necessarily have to activate him for this weekend. The 29-year-old has missed four games after having surgery on his left meniscus. His status for this weekend will depend on how he looks in practices this week. In Butker's absence, the Chiefs have used Spencer Shrader (hamstring), who is also on IR, and Matthew Wright, who was clutch in the Week 14 win over the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers by making all four of his field goals and an extra point. Whoever is the Chiefs' kicker in Week 15 will be worth a starting lineup spot in fantasy.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy caught five passes for 41 yards in the 19-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Since his one-catch performance in Week 10 against the Broncos, Worthy has been a more consistent member of the Kansas City passing attack. The rookie now has four straight games of at least four catches and 40 receiving yards. The 21-year-old will look to find the endzone next week against the Cleveland Browns, who rank 24th in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers this season. Worthy has provided a consistent floor over the past month but has yet to demonstrate the potential for ceiling performances. Worthy has only scored over 14 PPR fantasy points in three of his 13 games this season. Fantasy managers hope Worthy and Patrick Mahomes will connect on a long touchdown next week.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins caught four passes for 32 yards and a touchdown in the 19-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Hopkins saw a team-high nine targets on Sunday night but reeled in just four and averaged eight yards per catch. The veteran receiver was the only Chief to find the endzone against the stingy Chargers defense, demonstrating Patrick Mahomes' trust in him. Hopkins has provided a safe floor over his last three games and will look to continue that trend next week against the Cleveland Browns. The Browns rank 24th in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers this season, making them one of the more advantageous matchups. Hopkins has seen nine targets in the last two games, meaning Mahomes often looks in his direction. Fantasy managers should feel comfortable with Hopkins in their starting lineups.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco had 14 carries for 55 yards and two catches for six yards in the 19-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. The 25-year-old was the clear lead back for the Chiefs in Week 14, as Kareem Hunt handled just five carries and one catch for 29 total yards. Neither back was incredibly efficient on the ground, as they both averaged under four yards per carry, but Pacheco's 14 carries bode well for his fantasy performances moving forward. The Chiefs running back will look to have more success next week against the Cleveland Browns, who rank seventh in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. The Browns front seven is a strong unit at rushing the quarterback back and stopping the run, leading most teams to throw against the secondary, but Pacheco should still have touchdown upside in any matchup. Fantasy managers should be encouraged by Pacheco's role in his second game back and expect that role to continue to grow.