Kansas City Chiefs DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said that wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) won't play in Week 8 against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders, although Reid didn't expand on the exact nature of Smith-Schuster's injury. In addition to Smith-Schuster, receiver Justin Watson (ankle) suffered a serious injury in the Week 7 win over the San Francisco 49ers and could be dealing with a fractured ankle. Smith-Schuster played only seven offensive snaps and wasn't targeted at all before leaving on Sunday. If KC doesn't trade for a receiver, they'll be down to rookie Xavier Worthy, Mecole Hardman and Skyy Moore against the Raiders with Rashee Rice (knee) and Marquise Brown (shoulder) already done for the year. Hardman had only three touches on Sunday but did score his first TD of the year. He's worth a look on the waiver wire if you're hurting at receiver.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II was substituted in when lead quarterback Aidan O'Connell (thumb) was forced out for the rest of the game due to an injury when the Raiders played the Los Angeles Rams in Week 7. The former Jacksonville Jaguar finished the game, but it was a dreadful outing. H completed 15 of 34 passes for 154 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions. He also carried the ball once for two yards and lost a fumble. Las Vegas lost 15-20, so it's safe to say the giveaways were the difference. O'Connell seems to be set to miss time, so Minshew could start against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8. He's difficult to trust against KC's elite defense, even in 2QB leagues.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy had three catches for 19 yards in the 28-18 win against the San Francisco 49ers. Worthy completed three catches on a team-leading eight targets in the contest. Worthy also had one carry for five yards in this contest. Despite the ball heading his way more than any other pass catcher, Worthy could not turn opportunity into a big game. Kansas City is trying to increase Worthy's usage, but it is up to the rookie receiver to step up to the plate. Thankfully, Worthy will have more favorable matchups moving forward since the Niners are one of the most well-rounded defensive units in the league. Worth and the Chiefs will take on the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 8. Despite the Raiders giving up the ninth-fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers, Worthy's involvement out of the backfield and designed plays should keep his usage high in the team's next matchup. Worthy is a high-upside flex play as long as you can stomach his low floor.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce had four catches for 17 yards on five targets in the win against the San Francisco 49ers. Kelce had the second-most targets among Chiefs pass catchers in this contest but could not eclipse 20 receiving yards or find the endzone. After the departure of Rashee Rice from the wide receiver corps, Kelce was vacuuming up targets across the middle of the field, but the Niners tried to eliminate him. Kelce should be the favorite to lead the team in targets every week moving forward, which should be the case in Week 8. The Chiefs take on the Las Vegas Raiders on the road next week. Kelce saw seven targets in each game against the Raiders last season, so he is one of the safest bets for volume at the tight end position. Fantasy managers should continue to view Kelce as a TE1 despite the poor showing this week.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt had 22 carries for 78 yards and two touchdowns in the 28-18 win over the San Francisco 49ers. Hunt also had two receptions for five yards in this contest. Despite practicing fully this week, Clyde Edwards-Helaire was declared inactive in this game, which led to another Hunt takeover. Rookie Carson Steele had the second-most carries for the Chiefs with six, which he turned into 17 rushing yards. Hunt is the undisputed lead back for the Chiefs until the eventual return of Isiah Pacheco, making him an extremely valuable fantasy asset for the foreseeable future. Hunt will look to dominate again next week against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders rank 26th in fantasy points allowed to the running back position, so Hunt should have no issues in that contest. Hunt should be ranked as a solid RB2 every week.