Kansas City Chiefs

According to the team, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (coach's decision) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos. With the Chiefs already in sole possession of the top seed in the AFC, they will opt to rest some of their starters to ensure they are fully healthy when they attempt to win their third straight Super Bowl. Kelce was a full participant in practice this week, which suggests this move is to rest him and that he is not dealing with any injury. Since Week 12, Kelce has seen a hefty 8.8 targets per game. During this span, he has tallied 52.7 yards per game with one touchdown. As a result of Kelce likely sitting out on Sunday, Noah Gray should be expected to operate as the top tight end, making him a solid play in deeper formats this week and an intriguing value play in DFS.

According to the team, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos. Mahomes suffered this ankle injury during their Week 15 victory over the Cleveland Browns. Mahomes has yet to miss time due to the injury but is expected to take a seat on Sunday with the Chiefs already locked into the top seed in the conference. As a result, Carson Wentz is expected to get the starting nod. This ankle injury has not seemed to bother Mahomes as he has averaged a strong 27.8 PPR points per game over the past two weeks. During this span he has scored five total touchdowns. Wentz should be viewed as a risky QB2 facing the Denver Broncos who need a victory to clinch a playoff spot. Wentz will be without Isiah Pacheco (ribs) and is also expected to not have Kareem Hunt and Travis Kelce who are both listed as doubtful.UPDATE: Per A to Z Sports' Charles Goldman, head coach Andy Reid said that Mahomes will not play in Week 18.

According to the team, Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (ribs) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest against the Denver Broncos. Running back Kareem Hunt (coaching) is also listed as doubtful for this weekend. Pacheco has been unable to practice all week with a rib injury he suffered during their Week 17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pacheco missed time earlier this season with a fractured fibula but should be expected to operate as the top running back when healthy. While he was sidelined, Kareem Hunt took over the starting role. With the Chiefs already having sole possession of the top seed in the AFC, they will opt to ensure both of their top running backs are fully healthy for the postseason. As a result, fantasy managers should expect rookie Carson Steele to receive a heavy workload in this game alongside Samaje Perine. Steele should be viewed as a viable RB2 option this weekend and a great value play in DFS.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle) was limited during practice on Wednesday. The Chiefs are expected to rest key starters, including Mahomes, in Week 18, so his appearance on the injury report isn't something worth worrying about. In his age-29 season, Mahomes threw for 3,928 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions while leading his Chiefs to the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Carson Wentz should start at quarterback against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, but there's been speculation that the Chiefs could also give Chris Oladokun some snaps under center.

Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back Carson Steele has been told that he'll see extra work in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Denver Broncos. The specifics of Steele's role are unclear, but it's likely that the Chiefs will be resting Isiah Pacheco (ribs) with the team having nothing to play for with the No. 1 seed already locked up in the AFC for the postseason. Kareem Hunt could be active this weekend, but he might not see the field much before being pulled. So if fantasy managers playing DFS contests want any exposure to KC's backfield with backup quarterback Carson Wentz leading the offense, they'll want to look to the 22-year-old Steele as their man. Still, Steele will have limited upside against a top-five defense on the road in Denver. Steele has averaged a dismal 3.3 yards per carry on his 48 rushing attempts and hasn't found the end zone in 16 games in 2024.