Kansas City Chiefs News

AFC WEST

Kahlil Benson • OT • Chiefs

Kahlil Benson Likely to Start at Left Tackle in Week 1

With Kansas City Chiefs left tackle Josh Simmons (back) unlikely to play in the Week 1 season opener next Monday night against the division-rival Denver Broncos, rookie Kahlil Benson is likely to start in his place as quarterback Patrick Mahomes' blind-side protector, according to Jesse Newell of The Athletic. Simmons, the team's first-rounder in 2025, has not practiced since Aug. 18. Benson is an undrafted rookie from Indiana who earned his way onto the 53-man roster after impressing the coaching staff during May's rookie minicamp. It is not the ideal situation for Mahomes and a Chiefs offense looking to bounce back in 2026 after missing the postseason last year, especially while going up against a vaunted Broncos defensive line that led the league in sacks a year ago. According to TruMedia, only two undrafted rookies have started the season opener at offensive tackle in their first seasons, with the last being Cleveland's Desmond Harrison in 2018. All 12 of Benson's starts last season at Indiana came at right tackle. Per Pro Football Focus, he didn't have a single snap at left tackle on offense in his four-year college career.

8 hours ago

Patrick Mahomes • QB • Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes on Track to Start Week 1

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) has led the team from Day 1 of training camp, reportedly looking as sharp as he has in years, and NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reports that he is on track to start Week 1 in a Monday Night divisional matchup with the Broncos. The two-time MVP tore his ACL in Week 15 of the 2025 season, but head coach Andy Reid told reporters on Tuesday that there is a "pretty good chance" he'll be under center to begin his tenth season. Mahomes was the fantasy QB2 at the time of his injury, having run for a career-high 422 yards and five rushing scores to that point, but with him less than nine months removed from knee surgery, there are lingering questions about how he'll be used in 2026, and he enters the season as RotoBaller's QB13.

9 hours ago

Emmett Johnson • RB • Chiefs

Emmett Johnson Worth Rostering as Handcuff in Powerful Offense

Kansas City Chiefs running back Emmett Johnson may be a fifth-round rookie, but he's already on the fantasy radar as a potential waiver wire target. Johnson will open the year as the Chiefs' No. 2 running back, largely because he impressed the coaching staff so much with his pass-blocking ability. We may not see Johnson carve out standalone fantasy value on a weekly basis in his current role, but he would jump to the lead-back role and possess RB2 value if workhorse Kenneth Walker III were to miss time. It's worth noting that the ex-Seahawk missed at least two games every year from 2022 through 2024, so Walker's managers would be justified in adding his handcuff off the waiver wire. Because of his potential to feast if Walker misses any time, Johnson should be picked up off the waiver wire in all leagues with 12+ teams.

21 hours ago

Xavier Worthy • WR • Chiefs

Xavier Worthy Could Become Top Waiver-Wire Target

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy enters the 2026 season in a strong position. After a shoulder injury, Worthy struggled, hauling in 42 of 73 targets for 532 yards and one touchdown in 14 games. He suffered the injury on the first drive of the 2025 season, and it was reportedly "serious" and should have required season-ending surgery. Now that he and star quarterback Patrick Mahomes are healthy, Worthy hopes to regain form in 2026. With Eric Bieniemy back in Kansas City, Worthy hopes to be the new "Tyreek Hill" in this offense. With Rashee Rice not looking great in training camp, Worthy could be the lead receiver in 2026. He faces a tough Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos, but a big game on Monday night will make him a top addition on the waiver wire next week.

Yesterday

Patrick Mahomes • QB • Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes Took Unique Approach To Grueling Rehab

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has undergone rehab from a torn ACL and LCL he suffered in December, the worst injury of his career, and as Sam McDowell of the Kansas City Star wrote, he went into his rehab with a unique goal in his mind. "He wanted to walk before his baby daughter, 11-month-old Golden". McDowell went on to write that after a training camp practice, Golden, now 20 months old ran toward Mahomes for a hug and Golden's running rather than walking was a surprise, but "Mahomes beat her to it, by the way, barely." The Chiefs have been quiet about Mahomes potential return to action, but Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy reportedly told reporters, "He's back" and Sean Payton has reportedly been preparing the Broncos for the Week 1 matchup with the Chiefs assuming Mahomes will play.

2 days ago

Brashard Smith • RB • Chiefs

Brashard Smith Losing Ground to Rookie on Depth Chart

Kansas City Chiefs running back Brashard Smith could be falling down the depth chart due to the emergence of rookie Emmett Johnson. Throughout training camp and the preseason, Johnson earned plenty of praise for his contributions, especially in pass protection. With fifth-round draft capital, it initially seemed like Johnson was headed for the No. 3 running back role, but his impressive summer has bumped him up to second on the depth chart. As a result, Smith has fallen into that No. 3 spot. Smith had a relatively quiet rookie season last year, tallying 151 rushing yards, 172 receiving yards, and one touchdown. Given that the Chiefs likely wouldn't trust Johnson as an every-down back quite yet, we could see Smith getting onto the fantasy radar if Kenneth Walker III were to miss time. However, his status as the third-string back makes it tough to justify using a roster spot on him in redraft leagues. The second-year SMU product should only be rostered in deeper dynasty formats.

2 days ago

Kenneth Walker • RB • Chiefs

Kenneth Walker Could Be Poised for Monster Year in Kansas City

After spending the first four years of his career with the Seattle Seahawks, running back Kenneth Walker is entering his first season with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2026. Across 17 games with Seattle in 2025, Walker III recorded 1,309 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns on 252 touches. While the 25-year-old was a productive player, his overall and goal-line usage was limited by the presence of Seahawks back Zach Charbonnet (knee). In Kansas City, Walker III currently projects to be backed up by 2026 fifth-rounder Emmett Johnson and 2025 seventh-rounder Brashard Smith, neither of whom projects to take him off the field in high-value situations. Walker III has also drawn rave reviews for his work in Kansas City this summer, with reporting indicating that he may play a significant role as both a rusher and receiver in 2026. If he stays healthy, Walker III has a chance to reach 300 touches for the first time in his career and could finish as a high-end fantasy RB1.

3 days ago

Rashee Rice • WR • Chiefs

How Concerned Should Fantasy Managers Be About Rashee Rice?

After an encouraging rookie season in 2023, injuries and off-field issues have limited Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice to just 12 games over the last two seasons. After serving a six-game suspension to begin 2025, Rice recorded 53 catches for 571 yards and five touchdowns on 78 targets across eight games. However, Rice finished the year on Injured Reserve due to a concussion. He hasn't exactly had the greatest offseason leading into 2026, as he spent time in jail due to a failed drug test and also underwent knee surgery. If Rice can stay on the field in 2026, he carries top-12 fantasy wide receiver upside in PPR-scoring formats. However, Rice's persistent injury concerns and the ever-present risk posed by his off-field issues make him an extremely risky selection for fantasy managers.

4 days ago

Xavier Worthy • WR • Chiefs

Xavier Worthy Still Has a Path Back to Rookie Form

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy still has a believable path back to the player fantasy managers saw as a rookie. He caught 59 passes for 638 yards and six touchdowns in 2024, then added 104 rushing yards and three more scores. Last season never really got going. Worthy dislocated his shoulder and tore his labrum on the third snap of Week 1, missed two games and played through the injury before having surgery in January. He finished with 42 catches for 532 yards and one touchdown. This summer brought another scare when Worthy sprained the same shoulder on Aug. 1, but he returned to practice nine days later and was back working with the offense later in camp. He remains a starter opposite Rashee Rice on Kansas City's current depth chart. Rice and Travis Kelce will keep the target ceiling in check, and the shoulder history can't be ignored. Still, Worthy's WR45 ranking leaves room for a rebound if better health brings back some of the explosiveness and touchdown production from his rookie year.

4 days ago

Travis Kelce • TE • Chiefs

Travis Kelce Looks Strong in Training Camp

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has looked locked in and ready to post another strong season, according to reports from Chiefs' camp. Last year, in a down year by his elite standards, Kelce racked up 76 catches for 851 yards and five touchdowns on 108 targets. He has finished with over 100 targets in 11 consecutive seasons, and the Chiefs return most of the same pass-catching options this year. In great news for Kelce's fantasy outlook, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) looks like he'll be ready for Week 1, so Kelce can continue his elite chemistry, serving as Mahomes' go-to option. He may not have the ceiling that he provided earlier in his career, but it looks like the veteran still has enough in the tank to bring great value at his current ADP. He's being drafted as a low-end TE1 option in most drafts and is RotoBaller's No. 11 TE. In that spot, he brings a high floor and good upside if he bounces back from last year's slightly reduced totals.

5 days ago

Chris Jones • DT • Chiefs | Chris Jones • CB

Chris Jones Sitting Out With Minor Back Injury

Kansas City Chiefs starting defensive tackle Chris Jones (back) sat out Wednesday's practice with a back injury that is not expected to keep him sidelined for long, head coach Andy Reid told Charles Goldman of A to Z Sports. From what Goldman understands, it "likely amounts more to veteran rest." The Chiefs are just playing it safe with one of the best defensive tackles in the league as the 2026 regular season approaches. As long as Jones does not suffer a setback with his back injury next week, he should be just fine for the regular-season opener on Monday night, Sept. 14, versus the Denver Broncos. The 32-year-old seven-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro had back-to-back double-digit sack seasons for KC in 2022 and 2023, including a career-high-tying 15.5 sacks in 2022, but he has combined for only 12 sacks in the last two seasons. In 17 starts in 2025, Jones tallied 29 tackles (15 solo), seven sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and 25 QB hits in his 10th year in the league. Because of his lack of overall tackles, Jones is hard to trust for consistent production as a D-lineman in IDP fantasy formats.

5 days ago

Emmett Johnson • RB • Chiefs

Emmett Johnson Earns Praise for his Pass Protection

Kansas City Chiefs running back Emmett Johnson is drawing praise from head coach Andy Reid for his work in pass protection. Reid said that Johnson's work in pass protection is one of the main reasons he's the RB2 right now, Charles Goldman reports. The rookie is playing so well that he beat out Emari Demercado for the backup role behind Kenneth Walker to begin the season. The expectation is that Johnson will serve as the change-of-pace back behind Walker. Johnson seems to be doing everything well and is one of the most important handcuffs in fantasy. The 22-year-old is well worth a look in the late rounds on draft day.

6 days ago

Kenneth Walker • RB • Chiefs

Kenneth Walker a Full Participant at Wednesday's Practice

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker (foot), who dealt with a minor foot injury late in training camp, was present for Wednesday's practice and participated without limitation in all sessions, according to beat writer Pete Sweeney. The Super Bowl MVP signed a three-year, $43 million deal to join the Chiefs in free agency, and he is expected to handle a three-down role in an offense looking to rebound from a pair of down years. All signs point to the Week 1 availability of quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) after an ACL tear ended his 2025 season, but as he ramps up in his recovery, Walker could see a sizeable early-season workload and is one of a handful of running backs going near the one-two turn with a realistic chance to crack the top three. Following a hype-filled training camp, RotoBaller's RB8 has the feel of one of the safest running backs to build around in 2026.

6 days ago

Cyrus Allen • WR • Chiefs

Cyrus Allen Earning Plenty of Trust From Quarterback

Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver Cyrus Allen has quickly earned the trust of his quarterbacks, including Patrick Mahomes. "Even when there were a couple routes he ran the wrong thing and lined up the wrong way in the game, the quarterback still threw the ball to him," head coach Andy Reid told Jesse Newell of The Athletic. "You go, 'All right. There's a certain trust there.' And he'll work through all the other stuff." Mahomes recently dubbed Allen one of the team's biggest camp standouts, and Newell noted that the team's quarterbacks have all been very comfortable throwing him the ball even when he's covered. That level of trust should go a long way in the regular season. Even though Allen is set to open the year behind Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy on the depth chart, he could work his way onto the fantasy radar by midseason, especially if Rice or Worthy get injured. Having Mahomes throwing him the football should only boost his stock in redraft and dynasty formats. Allen currently has an ADP of 186.5, which corresponds to the 16th round of drafts and makes him the 68th receiver off the board.

6 days ago

Kenneth Walker • RB • Chiefs

Chiefs View Kenneth Walker as Potential Three-Down Back

The Kansas City Chiefs view running back Kenneth Walker as a "potential three-down back," according to The Athletic's Jesse Newell, although rookie Emmett Johnson made big strides in the final two weeks of training camp this summer. Emari Demercado's roster spot seemed secure going into roster cutdown day on Sunday because he had been one of the team's top pass protectors. With the Chiefs surprisingly cutting Demercado, it could mean even more pass-catching opportunities for Walker, who looks ready for a workhorse role in his new digs after winning Super Bowl MVP for the Seattle Seahawks in early February. The 25-year-old former second-rounder by Seattle in 2022 out of Michigan State had his second career 1,000-yard season in 17 regular-season starts in 2025, and with more volume coming with the Chiefs if he stays healthy, there is clear RB1 upside for Walker in his fifth NFL season, especially if the Chiefs' offense can bounce back with a healthy quarterback Patrick Mahomes. RotoBaller has Walker ranked as the No. 8 fantasy RB for 2026.

7 days ago

Kenneth Walker • RB • Chiefs

Kenneth Walker Could Be Over-Hyped

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker is coming off a big postseason run with the Seahawks that culminated in his Super Bowl MVP Award. After joining the Chiefs this offseason, Walker is being drafted very early in most fantasy drafts, coming off the board in the early rounds. He's ranked RotoBaller's RB No. 7, and he definitely brings top-10 RB potential in his new role with his new team. However, Walker had trouble staying healthy until last season, and he shared a lot of the work with Zach Charbonnet. He finished the regular season with 1,027 rushing yards and 282 receiving yards, with just five total touchdowns. Coach Andy Reid has typically mixed in multiple backs in the past, and the team used a fifth-round pick on Emmett Johnson, while Brashard Smith is also still in the mix. Walker has RB1 potential, but he is less of a sure thing than some of the other RBs being drafted in the same tier. If you do draft Walker, be sure to have plenty of depth at the position with possible pivots if he ends up in a timeshare.

7 days ago

Emmett Johnson • RB • Chiefs

Emmett Johnson Sees His Handcuff Value Soar Following Sunday's Cuts

Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back Emmett Johnson ran hard in three preseason contests, averaging 4.7 yards per carry while bringing in six of his seven targets, showing enough for the team to comfortably move on from veteran Emari Demercado, who was just signed to a one-year deal in free agency. The Chiefs kept only three running backs on their initial 53-man roster, hinting at a potential three-down role for Kenneth Walker III and one of the league's most valuable insurance roles for Johnson. Brashard Smith adds versatility and special teams prowess, but Johnson figures to serve as the team's primary change-of-pace back and is capable of handling a bell cow role if needed after seeing more than 300 opportunities in his final year at Nebraska, turning in one of the most productive seasons of any back in the nation. While Walker's projected usage is likely to limit the rookie's standalone value, Johnson has quickly become one of the most important handcuffs in fantasy and is worthy of a late-round selection in deeper leagues.

Aug 31

Patrick Mahomes • QB • Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes On Track to Play in Week 1

Kansas City Chiefs starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) is on track to start in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos on Monday, Sept. 14, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Saturday. "Maybe [the Chiefs] will have to adjust to a little more run game, a little more defense; we shall see," Rapoport said of Kansas City's Week 1 scheme. "But Patrick Mahomes is tracking to be on the field when the season begins." The 30-year-old signal-caller has been a full participant in training camp but has not seen any game action since tearing his ACL and LCL in Week 15 against the Los Angeles Chargers last year. The two-time Pro Bowler has seen dips in his production over the last two seasons, and he ended 2025 with a 62.7% completion rate and a 22:11 TD:INT ratio. Given the major knee surgery and the fact that the Chiefs' offense lacks the downfield explosiveness it had a few years ago, fantasy managers should consider Mahomes a high-end QB2 heading into the 2026 season.

Aug 29

Cyrus Allen • WR • Chiefs

Cyrus Allen Plays into the Second Half in Chiefs' Preseason Finale

Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver Cyrus Allen had a quiet game in his team's preseason finale against the Seattle Seahawks on Friday, recording one catch for 12 yards on two targets. A fifth-round pick out of Cincinnati, Allen recorded 51 catches for 674 yards and 13 touchdowns across 13 games for the Bearcats in 2025. The 23-year-old has also consistently drawn positive reviews for his work in training camp so far this summer, and he entered Friday night as Kansas City's leading target-earner in the preseason. However, Allen's usage against Seattle suggests that he may not be in line for a significant role in the Chiefs' offense early in his rookie season. Between Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Tyquan Thornton, Kansas City likely has its starting wide receiver trio set to begin the year. Allen could still be worth targeting as a late-round stash candidate in deep leagues, but fantasy managers may not want to expect high-end production early on.

Aug 29

Emari Demercado • RB • Chiefs

Emari Demercado Entrenched In Crowded Chiefs Backfield

Kansas City Chiefs running back Emari Demercado rushed nine times for 37 yards and caught his only target for 15 yards in the 9-9 tie with the Seattle Seahawks. Demercado finished second on the team in carries, behind Brashard Smith, and third on the team in rushing yards. Demercado's 4.1 yards per carry in the contest was the lowest among the RB trio of Demercado, Brashard Smith, and Emmett Johnson. Demercado is currently listed as the Chiefs RB2 behind Kenneth Walker, but that may be a formality as rookie Johnson operated as the starter in this contest. Johnson started the first two drives of the game before Demercado saw his first opportunity. Despite being listed as the Kansas City RB2, Demercado is likely to operate as a passing-downs specialist to spell Kenneth Walker but is not likely to carry the load if Walker gets hurt. Demercado may hold some PPR value in the deepest of leagues, but the expectations are not high for the Kansas City running back heading into 2026.

Aug 29

Kansas City Chiefs News

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