Kansas City Chiefs DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Kansas City Chiefs running back Carson Steele is expected to have an increased role in the offense going forward. This news comes after fellow back Isiah Pacheco (leg) suffered a significant injury during the Week 2 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. The Chiefs are expected to be without Pacheco for at least a month or two. Head coach Andy Reid said on Monday that Steele needs to step it up in the absence of Pacheco. The rookie back rushed seven times for 24 yards in Week 2. The Chiefs have faith in the long term potential of the 21-year-old back. However, Steele is unlikely to be the only back in the mix as Samaje Perine and Clyde Edwards-Helaire should also be in the mix. It's also worth noting that the Chiefs are reportedly interested in free-agent back Kareem Hunt. Despite that, Steele remains a top waiver wire addition for RB-needy fantasy managers.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (leg) will undergo surgery in the middle of this week on the fractured fibula that he suffered in the Week 2 win over the Cincinnati Bengals and he's expected to miss at least six weeks, according to sources. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says that a six- to eight-week timetable is probably a best-case scenario, so the Chiefs will eventually place him on Injured Reserve, which will put him out for at least four games. If doctors find more ligament/tendon damage in Pacheco's leg when they open him up, it could be a longer road back for one of the best young RBs in the NFL. Fantasy managers obviously will want to stash Pacheco everywhere, while rookie Carson Steele immediately becomes one of the top waiver-wire targets this week. Samaje Perine should have an elevated role in KC's backfield as well and is worth a look in deep PPR formats with Pacheco injured.

The Kansas City Chiefs are bringing in a familiar face for a visit on Tuesday. Kareem Hunt is set to visit the team after the Chiefs lost Isiah Pacheco (fibula) to a significant injury in yesterday's 26-25 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. With Pacheco expected to miss 6-8 weeks with a fractured fibula and Clyde Edwards-Helaire on the non-football injury list (mental health), Carson Steele and Samaje Perine are the only two healthy running backs on the roster. Hunt hasn't played for the Chiefs since the 2018 season. However, the veteran running back averaged 7.4 half-point PPR fantasy points per game last year with the Cleveland Browns, totaling nine rushing touchdowns. If he signs with the team, Hunt, Steele, and Perine will all see meaningful touches until Pacheco is healthy.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (fibula) is expected to miss six to eight weeks after suffering a fractured fibula late in Sunday's 26-25 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Unfortunately, the injury is a massive blow to the Chiefs' backfield and for fantasy managers. Pacheco played 72.3% of the snaps over the first two weeks, accounting for 79.1% of the rushing attempts and 72.7% of the targets out of the backfield. Rookie Carson Steele and Samaje Perine are the other two running backs on the active roster, with Clyde Edwards-Helaire (mental health) on the Non-Football Injury list. Kansas City is bringing in Kareem Hunt for a visit on Tuesday. Steele is the most appealing waiver-wire target currently on the roster after an impressive preseason performance, while Perine should gain more attention in PPR formats.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (leg) left the stadium on Sunday in a walking boot and crutches after a last-second win over the Cincinnati Bengals. According to a report from Ian Rapoport, the star back had some initial test results that revealed a fractured fibula. There's still more information on the way to determine the severity and how long Pacheco will be out, but he's set to miss "real time" as Rapoport says. Carson Steele seems to be the next man up for now as he received seven carries on Sunday, while Samaje Perine will likely see a lot more opportunities in the meantime as well. Pacheco's status will be something to continue to monitor to determine backup fantasy plans, Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness) may get some more opportunities than expected if he can return in time. In a new report from Adam Schefter, Pacheco is expected to land on the IR which means he'll be out for at least four games, and could even miss more than that depending on further testing.