Kansas City Chiefs DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (leg) has been on the Injured Reserve list since Week 2 due to a fractured fibula and is not expected to return to practice this week or next week. However, head coach Andy Reid said Pacheco is "doing fantastic," which is promising considering the team initially did not know if he would return this season. In his absence, veteran Kareem Hunt has taken over the clear RB1 duties in Kansas City and has rushed 84 times for 308 yards and four touchdowns to go along with six receptions for 40 yards. Hunt has not been efficient, but the team has trusted him to carry the load. Whenever Pacheco returns, he'll surely be a significant contributor to the offense, but he could be eased into action and share touches with Hunt. For now, fantasy managers can continue to stash him in an IR spot and hope he returns to make a difference down the stretch.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) is not practicing to begin the Week 9 prep for Monday Night Football against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The veteran has not been in action since his seven-catch, 130-yard day against the New Orleans Saints in Week 5, and he looks to be trending toward missing another contest. It's difficult to know what his role will look like when he returns after the team traded for former All-Pro wideout DeAndre Hopkins. However, fantasy managers in deep leagues might want to pick him up if they are desperate for potential flex options. He has a chance to return to practice later this week and nothing is official, so this will be a "wait and see" situation.

The New York Jets are signing kickers Riley Patterson and Spencer Shrader to the practice squad on Wednesday, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. Starting kicker Greg Zuerlein (knee) is reportedly dealing with a knee injury, and his performance this season has been disastrous. The 36-year-old has made just nine of his 15 field goal tries and has missed an extra point. Patterson, who has spent time with the Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, and Jacksonville Jaguars, has made 59 of his 67 field goal attempts in 39 games. Shrader is an undrafted rookie free agent out of Notre Dame and appeared in one game for the Indianapolis Colts this season, connecting on all three of his extra-point tries. The expectation is Zuerlein will not play on Thursday Night Football against the Houston Texans, and one of the newly-acquired kickers will handle kicking duties for the Jets. Neither option is high on the fantasy football radar.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins caught two passes for 29 yards in the 27-20 win against the Las Vegas Raiders. Hopkins joined the Chiefs this week after being traded from the Tennessee Titans. Hopkins was being eased into the offense, considering his lack of knowledge of the Kansas City playbook, but he will be more involved moving forward. The Chiefs traded for the veteran receiver, and Andy Reid is among the best at scheming plays for his playmakers, so fantasy success should be on the horizon. The height of Hopkins' ceiling in this offense is still unknown, but he could be successful as soon as Week 9. The Chiefs face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who rank 28th in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers this season. Hopkins could be in for a big game with such a favorable matchup. Hopkins should be viewed as a high-upside flex play until we see a more defined role for him in the Kansas City offense.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy caught four passes for 37 yards and a touchdown in the 27-20 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Worthy was not involved in the run game in this contest. The Chiefs rookie receiver garnered the second-most targets on the team with eight, just behind Travis Kelce's 12. Worthy found the endzone with a fourth-quarter score to essentially ice the game. Despite being heavily involved in the offensive game plan, Worthy came down with just half of his targets in this game. Worthy will look to build on this performance next week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs rank 28th in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers this season, so Worthy will have an advantageous matchup in Week 9. The arrival of DeAndre Hopkins may negatively impact Worthy's volume, but it could be beneficial for his efficiency. Hopkins should draw the defense's attention, leaving Worthy with lighter coverage. It remains to be seen how the targets will be divided amongst the pass catchers, but Worthy will remain a vital part of the offensive game plan. Worthy should continue to be viewed as a low-end WR3/flex play with upside for now.