Jerick McKinnon

The Kansas City Chiefs have placed Jerick McKinnon on the Injured Reserve with a groin injury and he will be out the remainder of the regular season, but could return if the Chiefs make a deep playoff run.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire will be the biggest benefactor of the McKinnon injury and could be the lead back for the Chiefs in Week 17 on a short week with Pacheco in concussion protocol. CEH, however, would be nothing more than a complimentary piece to a healthy Pacheco if they are both in the lineup.

The Kansas City Chiefs will be without two of their veteran playmakers when they face off against their hated division rivals in the Las Vegas Raiders on Christmas Day. Kadarius Toney and Jerick McKinnon were both ruled out for the game on Monday.

McKinnon will be missed the most in the Chiefs offense, coming off a nice 2 game stretch in which he was the RB15 during that span. Isiah Pacheco will be returning to the lineup and is an RB1 this week versus a weak Raider run defense that gives up an average of 124.9 yards per game on the ground. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who also caught fire in Pacheco’s absence, is a sneaky flex play this week and will see a bump in snaps with the McKinnon news.

With Skyy Moore and now Kadarius Toney out this week, look for Richie James to take the majority of the slot role for the Chiefs, and could be a contributor for the Chiefs down the stretch. No Chiefs wide receiver is statable this week, outside of Rashee Rice who continues to be a smash play week and after week. Rice is a top 10 wide receiver this week against the Raiders.

Pacheco missed week 14 with a shoulder contusion, and will miss another game this week. Andy Reid told reporters on Friday that Pacheco underwent shoulder surgery and “we’ll probably anticipate getting him back next week”.

It was almost a 50/50 split backfield in week 14 when Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon faced the Bills. It was a game script that benefited McKinnon, and he was the more productive out of the two, scoring a touchdown. This week, the Chiefs face another formidable run defense in the New England Patriots, giving up a stingy 88.2 yards per game on the ground. Both McKinnon and CEH are considered desperate flex plays at best with CEH earning a small edge, with the more likelihood of game script benefiting him.

Isiah Pacheco’s absence due to a shoulder contusion is a significant setback for the Chiefs and fantasy managers, given his current standing as the RB9. Jerick McKinnon’s return after a two-week absence is noteworthy. With Pacheco out, anticipate a committee backfield, with Clyde Edwards-Helaire handling the majority of early-down work, confirmed by Andy Reid naming him the “No. 1 guy” in Pacheco’s absence.

Expect McKinnon to surpass his usual 30% snap share, resulting in a projected 60/40 split between Edwards-Helaire and McKinnon. Keep an eye on undrafted rookie Deneric Prince, elevated from the practice roster last week, as he may see some action. Facing the Bills’ formidable run defense, Edwards-Helaire offers a high floor, while McKinnon, if utilized similarly to the 2022-2023 Chiefs Super Bowl run, presents a higher ceiling. Both, however, should be considered as flex plays with an element of uncertainty.

Jerick McKinnon, who was limited in practice all week, will not play Sunday when the Chiefs head into Green Bay and face the Packers at Lambeau. The Chiefs signed recent Cardinals castaway, Keaontay Ingram to their practice roster on Wednesday, adding a veteran depth piece to their running back room in case McKinnon’s groin injury looms down the stretch. Deneric Prince was promoted from the practice roster for Sunday’s game.  

Look for Isiah Pacheco to once again be a smash play this week with McKinnon sidelined, when he faces a weak Packers run defense ranking  27th vs the run , giving up an average of 127 yards per game on the ground. Pacheco, the RB13 on the year, is coming off the RB4 finish last week and is heating up at the right time. Any hope of a repeat of a late season league winning performance is looking more and more bleak for McKinnon. McKinnon should be relegated to the waiver wire until he returns from injury.