Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said on Monday that there's a chance that wide receiver Mecole Hardman (knee) could "potentially" return in the postseason. The Chiefs locked up the No. 1 seed in the AFC and will have a first-round bye, which will give their injured players an extra week to try and heal up. The 26-year-old wideout was placed on Injured Reserve back on Dec. 7, but he'll be eligible to return for the Week 18 regular-season finale this Sunday against the division-rival Denver Broncos. Hardman isn't going to be activated for that game, but depending on how he recovers, he could be available for the Divisional Round of the playoffs that runs from Jan. 17-23. In 12 games before his injury, Hardman didn't make much of an impact (12 catches for 90 yards) in a banged-up receiving corps, so fantasy managers in postseason formats shouldn't expect much from him if he returns in January.

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said on Monday that he will probably hold running back Isiah Pacheco (ribs) back in practice this week, but he expects the RB to be ready to go for the playoffs. Reid said that Pacheco "dinged his ribs" in the Week 17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day. The 25-year-old finished with only six carries for 18 yards last Wednesday before departing in the fourth quarter. With the Chiefs locked into the AFC's top seed for the playoffs, they will most likely rest most of their starters, including Pacheco, in Week 18 against the division-rival Denver Broncos. Fellow RB Kareem Hunt might also see minimal run, if any at all, this weekend with KC having nothing to play for. If both Pacheco and Hunt are rested completely, look for Samaje Perine and rookie Carson Steele to share backfield touches for an offense that will be run by backup QB Carson Wentz.

The Kansas City Chiefs are expected to rest Patrick Mahomes and start Carson Wentz at quarterback during Week 18 against the Denver Broncos, according to Peter Schrager of FOX Sports. Schrager also expects that the Chiefs will promote third-year quarterback Chris Oladokun from the practice squad to play some snaps. Wentz may generate some appeal in two-quarterback leagues given the Chiefs' potent offense, but his value will be limited if he doesn't play the whole game. Meanwhile, although it will be good for the Chiefs to see what they have in Oladokun, a South Dakota State product, he has no NFL playing experience and won't get a full game's worth of reps. He can be avoided in all fantasy and gambling settings.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is not expected to play against the Denver Broncos in Week 18, according to Peter Schrager of FOX Sports. The Chiefs have already locked up the No. 1 seed in the AFC and presumably don't want to risk injury for Mahomes and some of their other key starters. The 29-year-old has led the Chiefs to a phenomenal 15-1 record, completing 67.5 percent of his passes for 3,928 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. If Mahomes is confirmed as inactive next week, 2024 will go down as the first time since his rookie year that he finished with fewer than 4,000 passing yards. Carson Wentz is expected to start at quarterback for the Chiefs next weekend, but Schrager also expects that Chris Oladokun will be promoted from the practice squad to play some snaps.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Justin Watson caught two passes for 60 yards and a touchdown in the 29-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day. The 28-year-old grew up just outside of Pittsburgh, so he got to score in his homecoming game. Watson received just two targets in this game but ended up third on the team in receiving yardage due to a 49-yard chunk play. Despite finding the endzone in this contest, Watson is typically the fourth or fifth option on any given play. His lack of volume in the passing game leads to volatility, but Watson has proven he can break off a big play in any game. The Chiefs clinched the top seed in the AFC with their Christmas Day win, meaning they no longer need to start their stars in the regular season. Watson and the rest of the supporting cast could see more playing time in Week 18 against the Denver Broncos.