Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) is still out of practice on Thursday leading up to Sunday's matchup with the Denver Broncos. The former Pittsburgh Steeler and New England Patriot has not played since Week 5, and he's looking likely to be out again in Week 10. In his absence, K.C. traded for DeAndre Hopkins, who has taken over the clear WR1 role. When Smith-Schuster finally does return, he could have very little fantasy value. If he surprisingly plays this week, he is not worth starting except in 16-plus team leagues against a Denver Broncos defense that has surrendered the 8th-fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (quadriceps) was limited in Wednesday's practice coming off scoring the game-winning touchdown in the Week 9 overtime win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday. Hunt was also listed on last week's injury report with a quad injury but managed to play on Monday and went over 100 yards rushing while scoring the walk-off touchdown to send the Chiefs to 8-0. As long as the 29-year-old doesn't suffer a setback later this week, he should be all systems go for a Week 10 divisional matchup against the Denver Broncos, where Hunt should be viewed as a solid RB2 play in fantasy lineups. Isiah Pacheco is recovering nicely from a broken leg suffered in Week 2 and is nearing a return to practice, but until he returns, Hunt will be KC's clear backfield leader.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (fibula) is "getting close" to a return to practice, according to Adam Teicher of ESPN. Teicher further noted that his return is unlikely to happen this week. The former seventh-round selection is still recovering from a fractured fibula he suffered during Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, as he could be quickly approaching a return. In his limited play this season, the Rutgers product averaged an impressive 16.0 PPR points per game across the first two weeks. For now, fantasy managers should continue to expect Kareem Hunt to operate as the lead back but to eventually cede those duties to Pacheco when he returns to action.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle) is expected to practice in full on Wednesday, according to Adam Teicher of ESPN. Mahomes suffered an ankle injury during last Monday's victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but did not have to miss any action. Fantasy managers should monitor the 29-year-old's status throughout the week in case he faces a setback, but he should be expected to start on Sunday against the Denver Broncos. Last Monday, Mahomes scored a season-high 27.5 PPR points as he threw for three scores and added 291 yards. This was his first time this season that he tallied three scores in a single game. Despite his mediocre showings throughout this season, fantasy managers should continue to view him as a top-12 option going forward.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) is once again not practicing on Wednesday leading up to the Week 10 matchup with the Denver Broncos. The former Pro Bowler with the Pittsburgh Steelers has not played since his 130-yard performance in Week 5. However, the team has not placed him on Injured Reserve, indicating they hoped he would be back by now. That said, even when he does return, he'll likely be relegated to the No. 3 option in the passing game behind tight end Travis Kelce and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. He might even be behind rookie Xavier Worthy. Smith-Schuster is borderline droppable 12-team leagues, but fantasy managers that are in trouble at the wideout spot can hold onto him in hopes he'll make an impact down the stretch.