NFL Player News

McKinnon (groin) remains listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the 49ers after being activated from injured reserve Saturday, but he's expected to play in Super Bowl LVIII, James Palmer of NFL Network reports.

After being placed on IR on Dec. 24 and undergoing surgery to address a sports hernia and fractured pelvis, McKinnon looked like a long shot to make it back at any point in the postseason. However, with the Chiefs advancing to the Super Bowl, McKinnon had some extra time to heal up, and he appears to have made dramatic strides in his recovery despite being a limited participant in practices leading up to the matchup with San Francisco. According to Palmer, McKinnon is still viewed as a game-time decision, but barring any setbacks in pregame warmups, the 31-year-old looks like he could be in store for a small role on offense behind starting running back Isiah Pacheco, though it's unclear if McKinnon will supplant Clyde Edwards-Helaire as the No. 2 option. McKinnon is expected to be formally cleared to play when Kansas City releases its inactive list approximately 90 minutes before the game's 6:30 p.m. ET scheduled kickoff.

McKinnon (groin) was activated off injured reserve Saturday, though the running back is still a game-time decision for Sunday's Super Bowl against the 49ers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Once the Chiefs designated McKinnon to return ahead of the Super Bowl, this roster designation seemed like the obvious outcome, but it still doesn't guarantee the pass-catching back actually plays in the big game. Expect Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire to see the bulk of the snaps even if McKinnon is officially able to play.

Pacheco (toe/ankle) doesn't have an injury designation for Super Bowl LVIII against the 49ers on Sunday.

During the first week of Super Bowl prep, Pacheco was contained to a pair of limited sessions and ended it with no designation for the big game. He proceeded to have no practice limitations this week, meaning he'll be good for his typical workload Sunday. Over the last five contests, including the Chiefs' three postseason wins, Pacheco has averaged 21.8 touches for 94.4 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown per game. Having said that, Jerick McKinnon (groin) is questionable for Sunday's game after the team designated him for return from IR this past weekend, so Pacheco could yield some passing-down reps to the combo of McKinnon and Clyde Edwards-Helaire this weekend if the former is activated Saturday.

Edwards-Helaire (illness) doesn't have an injury designation for the Super Bowl against San Francisco on Sunday.

Edwards-Helaire was added to the injury report Thursday as a limited participant before returning to full participation Friday. His illness apparently isn't serious, with his role in the Super Bowl now partially depending on whether Jerick McKinnon -- listed as questionable -- is activated from injured reserve and ultimately able to return from the sports hernia surgery he had in December. With McKinnon out for the past month and a half, Edwards-Helaire and Isiah Pacheco have mostly shared the playing time in clear passing situations.

McKinnon (groin) is listed as questionable for the Super Bowl against San Francisco on Sunday.

The Chiefs designated McKinnon for a return from injured reserve this past weekend and then listed him as a limited practice participant throughout the week. Andy Reid said Tuesday that he didn't expect the 31-year-old to play this Sunday, but it's possible McKinnon looked better than his coach expected on the practice field. The Chiefs will need to activate him from injured reserve Saturday if he's going to play Sunday, in which case McKinnon might take back his role as the team's preferred back in obvious passing situations. Starter Isiah Pacheco and third-stringer Clyde Edwards-Helaire have shared those snaps in McKinnon's absence this postseason.

McCaffrey was named the Offensive Player of the Year on Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Even by his own lofty standards, McCaffrey had an incredible season, racking up a career-high 21 total touchdowns while also totaling 2,023 yards from scrimmage across 16 games. His ultimate goal still lies ahead with the 49ers set to square off against the Chiefs in the Super Bowl on Sunday, and he's chipped in an additional four scores across two postseason contests.

Williams played in all 17 regular-season games for the Bengals in 2023 but recorded only 15 carries for 69 yards and no touchdowns and seven catches for 10 yards and no scores.

The running back will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Williams signed a one-year deal with the Bengals before the 2023 campaign. The 2019 sixth-round pick has not yet scored a TD in five NFL seasons, all with Cincinnati.

McKinnon (groin) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

McKinnon is recovering from sports hernia surgery that he underwent in early January and now has managed to turn in two capped practices ahead of Sunday's Super Bowl matchup against the 49ers. It has been previously reported that he's unlikely to suit up for the contest, though an upgrade to a full session Friday could change his outlook. Without McKinnon in the mix, Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness) will handle the bulk of the work out of the backfield this weekend.

Edwards-Helaire practiced in a limited capacity Thursday due to an illness.

Isiah Pacheco (toe/ankle), the Chiefs' top running back, has been operating without practice restrictions this week, but reserve RB Jerick McKinnon (groin), who was designated to return from IR on Saturday, has been limited, and Edwards-Helaire joined him in that regard Thursday. As such, the situation behind Pacheco is up in the air just three days before Super Bowl LVIII versus the 49ers, with La'Mical Perine currently the healthy backfield option on the active roster.

McKinnon (groin) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

McKinnon was designated to return from injured reserve last week after completing his recovery from sports hernia surgery and a procedure to address a fractured pelvis. He's eligible to play in Sunday's Super Bowl matchup with the 49ers, but head coach Andy Reid has already stated that McKinnon is unlikely to be cleared in time for that contest. Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire should continue to handle backfield duties for the Chiefs this weekend.