Kansas City Chiefs DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (ankle) will return in Week 13 to play this Friday in a divisional clash against the Las Vegas Raiders as long as he doesn't suffer a setback before then, according to head coach Andy Reid. Pacheco was close to returning from Injured Reserve in the Week 12 win over the Carolina Panthers, but the Chiefs chose to hold him out for one more week. The 25-year-old put in his first full practice on Tuesday, though, since fracturing his right ankle way back on Sept. 15. Pacheco was KC's clear-cut lead back before the injury, but there's a chance he'll split touches with Kareem Hunt in the backfield in his first game back on Black Friday, which would make him a volatile option for fantasy managers. Pacheco was a must-start fantasy RB before his injury and he had 34 carries for 135 yards (4.0 yards per carry) and one TD in two games before his injury in 2024.UPDATE: Pacheco had another full practice on Wednesday.

It's looking like Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (ankle) might return from Injured Reserve in Week 13 to face the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders on Friday. Pacheco remains on IR but put in a full practice on Tuesday to kick off the week. It's the first time he's practiced in full since fracturing his right ankle back on Sept. 15. The 25-year-old required surgery for the injury, but he's nearing his return. Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy mentioned that the workload this Friday between Pacheco and Kareem Hunt will be determined situationally during the game. It sounds like KC is planning on having Pacheco available in Week 13, but it could be more of an even split between the two RBs in a great matchup. Pacheco was the lead back before his injury, but the Chiefs could ease him back in against Vegas. It makes both RBs more volatile RB3/flex plays if Pacheco is active on Friday.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Noah Gray caught four passes for 66 yards and two touchdowns in the 30-27 win over the Carolina Panthers. Gray has caught four passes and two touchdowns in the past two games. With defenses focused on Travis Kelce, DeAndre Hopkins, and Xavier Worthy, Gray has found himself open for Patrick Mahomes. The 25-year-old has been a valuable safety outlet for Mahomes lately, but this production level is far from sustainable. Gray will try his best to score again next week against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders rank 32nd in fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends this season, making them the easiest matchup for Gray to perform against. Despite his recent scoring success, Gray is not a significant option in the offense yet and is best left on the waiver wire.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy reeled in four catches for 46 yards in the 30-27 win over the Carolina Panthers. Before Week 11, Worthy had not surpassed 45 receiving yards in a game since Week 4. The rookie receiver has now accomplished that feat in back-to-back games. Worthy appears to be carving out a more consistent role in the Kansas City passing attack, and that is encouraging heading into the team's Black Friday matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders rank seventh in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers this season, but Courtland Sutton just had a massive performance against the Vegas secondary in Week 12. It will be interesting to see if this baseline production continues next week. That said, fantasy managers should be encouraged by Worthy's production lately and know that the big plays could be coming soon.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt had 16 carries for 68 yards in the team's 30-27 win over the Carolina Panthers. Despite facing one of the easiest matchups for running backs, Hunt managed under 70 rushing yards and zero touchdowns in this contest. This game may have been Hunt's last with zero competition out of the backfield since Isiah Pacheco will likely return in Week 13. Nevertheless, the Chiefs play on Black Friday against the Las Vegas Raiders, who rank 26th in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs this season. Hunt could still be involved out of the backfield if the Chiefs decide to lighten Pacheco's workload in his first game back from a broken leg. Fantasy managers should still find a way to get Hunt into their lineups but temper expectations with Pacheco returning.