Chiefs WR JuJu Smith-Schuster missed several practices this week with what the team deemed a "sore knee," according to Chiefs Wire. HC Andy Reid said Thursday that Smith-Schuster is progressing, though it seems unlikely he'll play in Saturday's 2nd preseason game. We'll keep an eye on the situation beyond that, but the issue doesn't appear serious.
Chiefs HC Andy Reid said Thursday that WR Mecole Hardman was knocked out of Wednesday's practice with a groin spasm. Hardman is "making progress," according to Reid, and might even be able to play in Saturday's preseason game vs. the Commanders. It doesn't sound like the groin will be an issue by the time Week 1 rolls around.
Chiefs WR Mecole Hardman suffered an apparent left leg injury in Wednesday’s practice, per beat writer Nate Taylor. He limped off the field for evaluation. We’ll pass along an update when it’s available.
UPDATE: Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Hardman's injury is to his groin.
The Athletic’s Nate Taylor believes JuJu Smith-Schuster has been the Chiefs’ best WR in training camp. Taylor describes the former Steeler as “a smooth route runner who has been consistent.” There’s some post-hype appeal to JuJu, who turns just 26 in November. Given the lack of proven targets in Kansas City, WR2 totals are well within his range of outcomes.
Chiefs starters played 1 possession in Saturday's preseason opener against the Bears. JuJu Smith-Schuster led the WRs with 11 snaps, followed by Marquez Valdes-Scantling (9), Mecole Hardman (4) and Justin Watson (1), according to Pro Football Focus. Skyy Moore did not get onto the field with that unit. We'll see how that usage pattern develops through the preseason.
The Chiefs started RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the preseason opener against the Bears. We all expected that. But rookie RB Isiah Pacheco was notably the next guy in. Pacheco got snaps in the red zone on K.C.'s opening offensive possession, including a reception. It's just 1 drive of 1 game (which is still going as of this writing), but it's another signal that we should take Pacheco's rise seriously.
Update: Pro Football Focus' Nathan Jahnke had the 1st-drive snap counts at CEH 7, Pacheco 3, Jerick McKinnon 1. Ronald Jones didn't see the field until 2 possessions after Patrick Mahomes and other starters had left.
The Commanders plan to play QB Carson Wentz and other starters for about 15-20 snaps in the preseason opener against the Panthers, according to The Washington Post. We'd bet on that increasing for the 2nd exhibition. We'll be interested to see how Wentz fares with his new WRs, as well as rookie RB Brian Robinson's role and performance.
Insider Peter King believes WR Skyy Moore will be a "Swiss army knife" for the Chiefs this season. "He has played all over the map," King said after attending Chiefs camp. "In the backfield, in the slot, set out wide, running the jet sweep stuff. He's going to be a really interesting weapon for a team that is kind of reinventing itself on the fly." We've seen numerous videos of Moore taking handoffs from the backfield in camp. WR Tyreek Hill averaged 15.5 carries over his 6 seasons in Kansas City, so perhaps Moore can pick up some of that work. The rookie remains an intriguing pick at his 11th-round ADP.
Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco ran with the 1st-team offense again on Sunday, per NFL Network's James Palmer. "He's picking up the offense and the protections faster than they thought," Palmer adds. The note on pass protection is particularly noteworthy because rookies often struggle in that department. (And because Kansas City's QB is on a $450 million contract.) We're still a month away from Week 1, but Pacheco appears to have a real chance to open the season with a significant role in the Chiefs backfield.
Browns RB Kareem Hunt returned to team drills Sunday, according to multiple reports. That followed closely behind reports of a “hold-in” and trade request for Hunt. It sounds like the RB has done what he can in pursuit of the extension and will now get back to business as usual. Hunt doesn’t have much leverage in trying to force the new contract
Browns RB Kareem Hunt has requested a trade, according to insider Mary Kay Cabot, but the team has already told him it won't happen. That could change, of course, especially if Hunt threatens to sit out regular-season games. We'll see where this goes. A move out of Cleveland would almost certainly help Hunt's fantasy value. It'd also be a boost for RB Nick Chubb and turn RB D'Ernest Johnson into a nice pick in the double-digit rounds of fantasy drafts.
RB Kareem Hunt has told the Browns that he won’t take part in team drills until he gets a contract extension, ESPN reports. Hunt is in the 2nd season of a 2-year deal. He also resides in a crowded backfield. That leaves little leverage for the veteran. We’ll see where this goes, but we’re not altering Hunt’s fantasy football outlook at this point
Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco is "lightning up camp," insider Albert Breer tweeted Wednesday. "Got Kareem Hunt traits, a gear Hunt didn't have," Breer adds. It's high praise -- and not the 1st time we've heard that the 7th-round rookie is having an excellent training camp. It's time to start taking Pacheco seriously as a factor in the Chiefs offense and a late-round flier in fantasy drafts.
Cardinals WR Marquise Brown was arrested Wednesday morning on criminal speeding charges, according to KTAR News 92.3 FM. We'll see where this goes but doubt it draws a suspension from the league. Brown, of course, missed the first week or so of camp with a hamstring issue. So it hasn't been an ideal start to his Cardinals career.
Chiefs WR Skyy Moore (hip) practiced Wednesday following an early departure on Tuesday. Moore confirmed that he was fine in a social media post yesterday, and this is further proof. He remains a candidate for significant early-season snaps.
Chiefs WR Skyy Moore injured his right hip in Tuesday's practice. Here's video of the play. We'll update Moore' status as soon as we know more. The rookie had been off to a strong start to camp.
Arrowhead Pride's Pete Sweeney gave this update on the Chiefs backfield through the 1st week of camp: "When it comes to running backs with the Chiefs’ first team, it’s been Clyde Edwards-Helaire taking the first rep almost every series. Jerick McKinnon has usually been the next up with Isiah Pacheco, Ronald Jones and Derrick Gore mixing in from time to time." It sure sounds like CEH is in the driver's seat to open the season as Kansas City's lead back. Jones, on the other hand, might not have a roster spot locked up just yet -- not the 1st time we've said that. 7th-round rookie Pacheco has had a strong start to camp and seems to be climbing the depth chart. We'll be keeping a close eye on this backfield in preseason action.
The Cardinals activated WR Marquise Brown (ankle) from the non-football injury list. He ended up missing about a week of camp. Barring a setback, it's a non-factor for his 2022 fantasy value.
Bengals HC Zac Taylor said Monday that RB Samaje Perine has a “leg up” in the competition to be the 3rd-down back. Taylor also called Perine a "security blanket" while acknowledging that 2nd-year RB Chris Evans could still earn the role. The main takeaway here is that the team doesn't want to put too much on Joe Mixon's plate, despite his 3-down skill set. A Mixon injury would almost certainly lead to a timeshare.
Chiefs rookie RB Isiah Pacheco has been "getting good looks in training camp," according to ESPN's Adam Teacher. That has included the 6th-round pick often working ahead of Jerick McKinnon and Ronald Jones in RB drills, behind only Clyde Edwards-Helaire. It's probably a little early to consider Pacheco the #2, but this should be an open competition. And it's well worth noting that he's already factoring in that prominently, despite McKinnon and Derrick Gore being holdovers and Jones bringing much more experience.
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