Kansas City Chiefs DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (groin) missed practice on Wednesday but was upgraded to a full session by Friday and is listed without an injury designation heading into a Week 18 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Whether Hunt actually plays on Sunday against the Bengals remains to be seen as the Browns already have the No. 5 seed in the AFC locked up and don't have much motivation to put their key players in harm's way. Although they haven't officially announced it, both Hunt and Jerome Ford are candidates to sit out of action in Week 18. If that does happen, Pierre Strong Jr. would be elevated to the lead role against a Cincinnati defense that is allowing the 14th-most fantasy points per game to running backs this season, making him an interesting name for DFS contests. Stay tuned.

San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell could make his first start of the season with Christian McCaffrey ruled out in the team's Week 18 home matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. The 25-year-old backup has been dealing with an illness this week but was cleared from the injury report on Friday, making him the favorite to lead San Francisco's backfield on Sunday. However, Mitchell's actual usage is anyone's guess, as Jordan Mason is almost certain to get a share of the touches and has been effective in limited action at 5.0 yards per carry to Mitchell's 3.8. Second-year man Tyrion Davis-Price could also be in the mix, although he'd have to be elevated from the practice squad. That said, Mitchell carries undeniable value in Week 18 championships and DFS for those willing to roll the dice. Consider him an RB2 this week with loads of upside but a low floor depending on the 49ers' personnel decisions.

New England Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (ankle) popped up on the team's injury report after being limited in Friday's practice due to an ankle injury. The 23-year-old is one of 12 Patriots tagged as questionable for their Week 18 game against the New York Jets. Thornton caught three passes for a season-high 24 yards in the wake of DeVante Parker's (ribs) early exit from Week 17 due to injury. Parker himself was a limited participant in practice all week and is also questionable for Sunday's contest. If he is held out of the season finale, Thornton may see a slight increase in work but will still have little, if any, fantasy value.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew has been a hit-or-miss fantasy option for most of the 2023 season. In Week 17, he completed 15 of his 23 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown in the team's win against the Las Vegas Raiders. He now gears up for a win-and-in regular-season finale, when the Colts square off against the Texans on Saturday night. Houston has made for a decent matchup for quarterbacks, allowing the ninth most fantasy points to the position. Their secondary has struggled from a yardage perspective as well, allowing the eight most yards through the air this season. With many of fantasy's top QBs sitting out this week, fantasy managers can look to include Minshew as a low-end QB1 this week.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (quad, shoulder) is expected to suit up in Week 18, according to head coach Andy Reid. The young back was limited during the final two days of practice this week. Pacheco is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Reid says that Pacheco is going to play, but it seems like a bad idea to have Pacheco play in a meaningless game. The Chiefs are already locked into the third seed, which gives them no incentive to play their starters. Possibly, Pacheco sees a limited amount of snaps just to keep him fresh. DFS players should probably look elsewhere for help this weekend.