NFL Player News
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Isiah Pacheco RB | KC
Chiefs' Isiah Pacheco: Cleared for Thanksgiving contest
Head coach Andy Reid confirmed Tuesday that Pacheco (knee) will suit up for a Thanksgiving game in Dallas, Nate Taylor of ESPN.com reports.
Pacheco has been sidelined for the past four weeks and has missed three games while recovering from an MCL sprain, but he's in the clear to return to the lineup after being listed as a full participant on Kansas City's first two Week 13 practice reports. The 26-year-old had played at least 50 percent of the offensive snaps in seven of his first eight appearances prior to getting hurt, but he may have to settle for a lesser role upon his return, at least initially. Kareem Hunt filled in acceptably as Kansas City's lead back over the past three games with three rushing touchdowns to go with 247 yards from scrimmage on 59 touches, and he could end up handling the brunt of the work again Thursday if the team wants to ease Pacheco back in.
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Xavier Worthy WR | KC
Chiefs' Xavier Worthy: No limitations in practice Tuesday
Worthy (ankle) was a full participant in Tuesday's practice.
Kansas City estimated Worthy as a limited participant on its initial Week 13 practice report issued Monday, but the second-year wideout took every rep Tuesday to put to rest any doubt about his availability for Thursday's game against the Cowboys. Since Rashee Rice made his season debut Week 7 and reclaimed his spot as the clear No. 1 wideout, Worthy has struggled to deliver useful fantasy production. In the last five games, Worthy hasn't recorded a touchdown and hasn't eclipsed 60 yards from scrimmage in any contest.
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Rashee Rice WR | KC
Chiefs' Rashee Rice: Submits full practice
Rice (hamstring) was a full practice participant Tuesday.
Coming out of a Week 12 win over the Colts in which Rice recorded eight catches for a season-high 141 yards on 12 targets, Kansas City gauged him as a limited participant on Monday's estimated practice report. His hamstring issue evidently isn't a major concern for Rice, whose upgrade to full participation Tuesday sets the stage for him to play Thursday against the Cowboys. With running back Isiah Pacheco (knee) and wideout Xavier Worthy (ankle) also practicing fully, KC is on track to have its full complement of skill-position players available in Week 13, save for No. 2 tight end Noah Gray (concussion).
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Tyquan Thornton WR | KC
Chiefs' Tyquan Thornton: Blanked by Colts
Thornton didn't reel in his lone target during Sunday's 23-20 overtime victory against the Colts.
Thornton's role on offense has declined significantly with all of the Chiefs' weapons available, and there's nothing to suggest that will change. Thornton remains a deep-threat option in the passing attack, evidenced by his 61-yard grab in Week 11 versus the Broncos, but he'll likely see minimal opportunities moving forward, so he can be viewed as a depth piece with some upside if injuries hit the wide receiver room.
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Brandin Cooks WR | BUF
Bills' Brandin Cooks: Finds new home in Buffalo
Cooks signed a one-year contract with the Bills on Tuesday.
Buffalo marks the sixth NFL stop for Cooks, who has turned in six 1,000-plus-yard receiving campaigns while spending time with the Saints, Patriots, Rams, Texans and Cowboys over his 12-year career. During his second stint in New Orleans this season, Cooks was limited to 19 receptions for 165 yards and no touchdowns on 25 targets over 10 games before being cut last week. Though he'll benefit from a massive upgrade in quarterback play with the move to Buffalo, the 32-year-old wideout could struggle to see meaningful weekly target volume in a Josh Allen-led offensive attack that spreads the ball around to a number of pass catchers.
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JuJu Smith-Schuster WR | KC
Chiefs' JuJu Smith-Schuster: Tallies one reception in Week 12
Smith-Schuster notched one reception (on two targets) for eight yards during Sunday's 23-20 overtime victory over the Colts.
Smith-Schuster hasn't tallied more than a single catch in any of the last three games and hasn't cracked double-digits in receiving yards over that span, so there are very few formats in which he should be considered a fantasy option. While he still receives decent run (45 snaps Sunday), he's not in line for many looks in the passing game, barring an absence from Rashee Rice.
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Brashard Smith RB | KC
Chiefs' Brashard Smith: Makes impact as receiver
Smith tallied one rush for five yards and hauled in three of four targets for 31 yards during Sunday's 23-20 overtime win against the Colts.
Smith remains a pass-catching option out of the backfield, akin to Jerick McKinnon in previous seasons, but he doesn't quite sport the same kind of upside just yet. Smith has made an impact as a receiver through 11 games, notching 19 grabs for 161 yards. However, he's averaged just 3.0 yards per carry on his 29 totes and firmly remains third in the backfield pecking order behind Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt. As long as that duo remains healthy, Smith figures to remain a periphery piece for the Chiefs.
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Marquise Brown WR | KC
Chiefs' Hollywood Brown: Snares sole target
Brown reeled in his only target for 10 yards during Sunday's 23-20 overtime victory against the Colts.
Brown hasn't reached pay dirt in any of the last four contests, and he doesn't sport enough target volume to warrant a look in the vast majority of fantasy formats. As long as Rashee Rice, Travis Kelce and Xavier Worthy remain available, they will continue to claim the vast majority of looks in the passing game, while Brown will aim to produce on limited looks.