NFL Player News

Hunt is expected to experience a bump in snaps and touches Sunday at Buffalo with Isiah Pacheco (knee) unavailable for the contest, ESPN.com reports.

Pacheco was diagnosed with an MCL sprain after he took a hit to the side of his right knee in the fourth quarter of Monday's 28-7 win against the Commanders. He'll miss at least one contest as a result of the injury, and Hunt is the next player up in the Chiefs backfield. Having said that, Hunt has maxed out at 13 carries in a given game this season, while his snap share has topped out at 44 percent. Rookie seventh-round pick Brashard Smith and possibly Elijah Mitchell are candidates to mix in if Kansas City continues to limit Hunt's workload.

Monangai is poised to lead the Bears backfield Sunday at Cincinnati in the wake of D'Andre Swift (groin) being ruled out, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Both Swift and Roschon Johnson (back) were unable to practice this week due to their respective injuries, and Chicago ruled out both players on Friday's practice report. Swift's health concern in particular has been lingering for weeks, so perhaps the Bears are giving him the week off with the long term in mind. In any case, Monangai will be the primary beneficiary Sunday, and the rookie seventh-round pick's average of 4.4 yards per carry so far as a pro indicates a fruitful performance is very possible against the Bengals' league-worst run defense (151.9 yards per game).

Pacheco (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bills after not practicing this week.

With the Chiefs on bye Week 10, Pacheco's next chance to see game action will arrive Sunday, Nov. 16 against the Broncos. In Pacheco's absence this weekend, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com indicates that Kareem Hunt is in line to start Sunday's contest, with Brashard Smith and Elijah Mitchell in line to back him up, per ESPN.com.

Johnson (back) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Johnson will join D'Andre Swift (groin) on the sidelines for this one, leaving Kyle Monangai and Travis Homer as the lone healthy running backs currently on the 53-man roster. Brittain Brown is on the practice squad as a likely elevation for Week 9.

Davis (illness) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.

Davis didn't practice Wednesday due to an illness but capped Week 9 prep with back-to-back full sessions, paving the way for him to be available Sunday. His touch count has been hit or miss this season, with a pair of nine-carry outings and then seven combined touches in his five other appearances this season. James Cook has dominated the Bills backfield, while Ty Johnson has been more involved than Davis, leaving the latter on the outside looking in.

Allgeier (knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game at New England, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.

Allgeier played through the same injury last week and ended up handling a season-high 40 percent snap share in the 34-10 loss to Miami. He'll likely play much less this week, unless the Falcons end up in a blowout again

Swift (groin) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bengals.

Swift played through the same groin injury and remained productive the past few weeks, but he's now set to miss at least one game after not practicing at all during Week 9 prep. Bears coach Ben Johnson discussed Swift's nagging groin injury earlier Friday, telling reporters that the Bears are "just doing our due diligence" and "want to make sure we have [Swift] in a good spot for the whole season," per Adam Jahns of AllCHGO.com. In any case, Kyle Monangai will be Chicago's lead back Sunday, likely taking on a large workload against one of the worst defenses in the league.

Dowdle is expected to start Sunday's game at Green Bay and take a majority of carries, with Chuba Hubbard still part of the offense in a lesser role, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

The writing was on the wall Monday when Panthers coach Dave Canales told reporters, "We cannot ignore the fact that [Dowdle] has been exceptional." Canales also mentioned how much Hubbard has meant to the organization, which is perhaps a hint that Dowdle won't have strong job security even if he does take on much larger workloads in the short term. Dowdle and Hubbard largely alternated drives the past two weeks, with neither providing much fantasy production even though Dowdle's per-touch efficiency remained strong. Maintaining that efficiency Week 9 will be difficult, to say the least, as the Panthers are dealing with a slew of offensive line injuries while facing a top defense on the road.

Kamara (ankle) is officially questionable for Sunday's game at the Rams, but Saints coach Kellen Moore said Friday that the running back is trending in the right direction, WWLAM's Jeff Nowak reports.

Moore said the same of WR Rashid Shaheed (hip) and CB Alontae Taylor (shoulder), with all three getting 'questionable' designations after limited practice participation this week. Any setbacks for Kamara would lead to more work for Devin Neal, who is alo listed with an ankle injury but seemingly on track to play.

Coach Andy Reid said Friday that Pacheco (knee) is unlikely to play Sunday at Buffalo, Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com reports.

Pacheco took a hit to the side of his right knee late during Monday's 28-7 win against the Commanders and was diagnosed with an MCL sprain afterward. He proceeded to miss all three practices during Week 9 prep and now is poised to be ruled out ahead of Sunday's game. With Pacheco set to be sidelined, Kareem Hunt is poised to be the Chiefs' primary backfield option this weekend, while Brashard Smith and potentially Elijah Mitchell also will be on hand for RB reps.