Kansas City Chiefs

In addition to Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes being rested in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday versus the division-rival Denver Broncos, ESPN's Adam Schefter suggests that tight end Travis Kelce, running back Isiah Pacheco (ribs), defensive tackle Chris Jones, defensive end George Karlaftis and defensive back Trent McDuffie could all sit out. The Chiefs have already secured the top seed in the AFC and a first-round bye in the playoffs, so they will rest some key players on both sides of the ball. Carson Wentz will make his first start of the season under center for KC in a game that the Broncos must win to land the seventh and final playoff spot in the AFC. If the 35-year-old Kelce does start, he probably won't stick around long before being pulled, so fantasy managers playing DFS in Week 18 should look to avoid him.

According to Nate Taylor of The Athletic, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Carson Wentz will start under center in Week 18 against the Denver Broncos. With the Chiefs clinching the No.1 seed in the AFC, they will opt to rest Patrick Mahomes in their final game of the regular season. The 32-year-old has logged just eight offensive snaps all season and has gone 2-for-2 with 20 yards. Last season, the former No.2 overall selection went 17-for-24 with 163 yards, two scores, and an interception in his lone game for the Los Angeles Rams. The Chiefs may opt to rest other key starters, including Travis Kelce, Xavier Worthy, and DeAndre Hopkins, which could significantly limit his ceiling on Sunday afternoon. He should be viewed as a risky QB2 play in all formats.

According to Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star, the Kansas City Chiefs are opening wide receiver Mecole Hardman's (knee) practice window on Wednesday. Hardman was placed on the injured reserve during the first week of December with a knee injury but will have a good opportunity to return in the postseason. Before the injury, Hardman caught just 12 of his 14 targets for 90 yards and no scores. He added 62 rushing yards and a touchdown on five rushing attempts. When Hardman does return, fantasy managers should expect him to operate as a depth option in the passing attack. However, with Marquise Brown back in action, Hardman will only see occasional snaps and should not be targeted in any playoff competitions.

According to Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (ribs) will not practice on Wednesday. Earlier this week, head coach Andy Reid noted that the running back will be available for the playoffs but will be held out of practice this week. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progress during the week but should not expect him to suit up in Week 18, as the Chiefs are already locked into the No.1 seed in the AFC. This means that Pacheco will have another week off before they return to action in the Divisional Round. Since returning in Week 13 from a fractured fibula that kept him sidelined through most of the season, he averaged just over ten total touches per game, operating as the "1A" in the backfield alongside Kareem Hunt. Given his injury history this season, Hunt will likely continue to limit his overall ceiling.

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said on Monday that there are no plans for wide receivers Rashee Rice (knee) and Skyy Moore (abdomen) to return during the postseason. Rice injured his knee in Week 4 and needed season-ending surgery on his ACL, MCL and meniscus, so it's no surprise that he won't be ready for another playoff run in January. The 24-year-old should have a good shot at being healthy for the start of the 2025 season, but he could be facing a suspension due to off-the-field legal issues. Moore, meanwhile, has been on Injured Reserve since late October due to a core-muscle injury. When healthy, the 24-year-old has found himself buried on the WR depth chart. He couldn't corral any of his three targets in six games this year before getting hurt, and Moore had only 43 catches for 494 yards and one TD in 30 games (11 starts) in 2022 and 2023 combined.