Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle) is well on his way to being available for the Divisional Round game this Saturday against the visiting Houston Texans after putting in a second straight full practice this week on Wednesday. Mahomes suffered a right high-ankle sprain in a win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 15 but managed to play the following two weeks before being rested in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Denver Broncos. He's now had the last two weeks to heal up with the Chiefs having a bye in the wild-card round. Although the 29-year-old might not be 100%, he should be well enough to play as the Chiefs seek an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl title. Mahomes was only the QB11 in fantasy during the regular season, though, and his fantasy ceiling won't be very high against an underrated Houston defense this weekend.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (knee), who remains on Injured Reserve, was listed as a limited participant in the first practice of the week on Tuesday. The Chiefs opened Hardman's 21-day practice window to return from IR during preparation for the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Denver Broncos, but the 26-year-old pass-catcher ultimately was not activated for that contest. The Chiefs had a first-round bye for the wild-card round of the playoffs last weekend, giving Hardman another week to recover from a knee injury that has kept him sidelined since Week 13. Even if he returns to a full practice on Wednesday or Thursday and is activated from IR on Friday, it's highly unlikely that Hardman would have a major role in KC's offense after missing the last six weeks. Before getting hurt, he had 12 catches (14 targets) for 90 yards and no touchdowns in 12 games.

According to the team, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle) participated fully during Tuesday's practice. Mahomes has been dealing with a lingering ankle injury over the past month and was given Week 18 off as the Chiefs have already locked up the top seed in the AFC. However, seeing him open the week as a full participant is a great sign and suggests he will be a full-go for Saturday's playoff game against the Houston Texans. After starting the season off slow, Mahomes has begun to round into form at the perfect time. Over his previous six games, Mahomes has tallied 12 total scores, averaging 254 passing yards per game and 23.3 rushing yards per game. Fantasy managers should view Mahomes as a solid QB1 in all DFS competitions facing the Houston Texans.

According to the team, Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (rib) logged a full practice on Tuesday. Pacheco sustained a rib injury during their Week 17 victory over the Steelers and was held out of action in Week 18 as the Chiefs already locked up the top seed in the conference. However, seeing the 25-year-old open the week as a full participant suggests he will be a full-go for Saturday's game against the Houston Texans. Since returning from a fractured fibula in Week 13, Pacheco has averaged just 35.0 rushing yards per game and has been in a split committee with Kareem Hunt. During this stretch, he only logged double-digit attempts in two contests. Fantasy managers should view Pacheco as a low-end RB2 in DFS formats facing the Houston Texans.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (ribs) returned to the practice field on Friday, according to head coach Andy Reid. It's not an official practice for the Chiefs since they are on bye for the wild-card round of the playoffs this week, but it's a good sign for Pacheco's availability next week for the Divisional Round. Along with most of the Chiefs regulars, the 25-year-old was held out of the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Denver Broncos so that he could rest up for the postseason. The extra rest should help Pacheco get back on the field for the Divisional Round, but we'll have a better idea of his status once the Chiefs resume official practices next week. If he's active next weekend, Pacheco could share more work with backfield mate Kareem Hunt. Pacheco played in a career-low seven games in 2024 due to a broken leg and may not be back to full speed until next season.