Team news: Kansas City Chiefs | Page 11

Per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the Browns are exploring Rams running back Cam Akers and former Cleveland running back Kareem Hunt.

Related players: Jerome Ford, Pierre Strong

Just as we posted this news item, it broke the Browns are hosting Hunt for a visit. The Browns would obviously have to give up a draft pick to get Akers. As for Hunt, he spent the last four seasons with the Browns so a reunion makes sense. He has not signed with anyone since his contract expired following last season. In late August, Hunt had reportedly received offers from four teams. But the running back was waiting for “the right offer” and didn’t sign any of them, the story went on to say. The team recently said the RB1 duties will go to Ford while Strong sits behind him on the depth chart for now.

The Chiefs and superstar Patrick Mahomes have agreed to terms on a restructured contract that brings his compensation back in line with other top QBs.

Ian Rapoport goes on to say: The deal resets cash flow and guarantees for the QB market. Mahomes has now received over $273M in guarantees since the deal was originally signed in 2020 -- an NFL record -- and that excludes guarantee mechanisms that provide for an all-inclusive $450M in guarantees, per me and Tom Pelissero. Reports say the two sides can revisit the agreement again in 2026.

Chiefs HC Andy Reid said both TE Travis Kelce (bone bruise) and DT Chris Jones will play Sunday vs. Jaguars "as long as nothing happens."

Great news for Chiefs to have their 2 stars back. No word on workload, per Reid.

Related Players: Noah Gray, Blake Bell

Kelce could have his workload cut in half and he would still easily be a top-12 fantasy tight end. Unless we hear otherwise, there is no reason to put him on your bench in Week 2.

One reason Mahomes is the league’s reigning MVP is he became one of the league’s most efficient quarterbacks when attempting short and intermediate passes. In the Chiefs’ comeback victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII, none of Mahomes’ 21 completions traveled more than 20 yards past the line of scrimmage.

Of course, Reid and Mahomes can anticipate the next trend: Opposing defenses starting to zig to more conventional coverage, a mission to clog the short and intermediate passing windows for Mahomes.

Related Players: Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore, Rashee Rice

As the article would go on to mention, Mahomes' 8.2% deep ball rate in 2022 was a career-low. Particularly when the team returns a healthy Travis Kelce who can do so much damage in the short-to-intermediate areas of the field, the Chiefs may be pushing the ball downfield more often while defenses attempt to prevent their ultra-efficient short game.

Despite his horrendous first week of the season, Toney should expect some of that action to go his way, as his speed will often see him at the perimeter and beyond the defense. Valdes-Scantling was an incredible best ball target throughout the summer for this exact same reason. They are both difficult starts outside of deep-league Flex plays, but they will certainly pop from time to time this season.

Multiple team sources believe Smith-Schuster is not presently among the team’s five most effective pass-catchers. According to those same sources, his place in the offense has been complicated by a variety of factors. His knee, flatly, is not 100%. Asked whether Smith-Schuster was healthy enough to finish Sunday’s game, Pats coach Bill Belichick dodged the question in his Wednesday morning press conference.

Related Players: Demario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, Kayshon Boutte

It's been a long time since we've been able to trust a Patriots receiver to deliver consistently, and some thought that maybe Smith-Schuster could finally be that answer. Things aren't looking great right now. Three different options took more slot snaps than the former Chief, including both tight ends, Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki. Smith-Schuster can be safely dropped in most leagues.

Updates from Chiefs coach Andy Reid:
-- TE Travis Kelce (knee) will practice in a limited capacity, as he makes progress from his bone bruise.
-- DL Chris Jones, back from his holdout, will practice today and play on Sunday.

Related Players: Noah Gray, Blake Bell

Clearly good news for all fantasy managers. Even a limited practice on Wednesday is historically a good sign for Sunday availability. We will update as the week progresses.

An MRI confirmed the Jets’ fears: Four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers suffered a complete tear of his left Achilles tendon Monday night, per sources.

Related players: Zach Wilson, Breece Hall, Dalvin Cook, Michael Carter, Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman

It was the biggest fear since the injury happened during the Jets opening drive. HC Robert Saleh has already said the team will ride with Wilson, but it's a huge fantasy downgrade for the Jets WR group. The team could lean more on running backs Cook and Hall and the running game as a whole, as Hall was an obvious bright spot on Monday night. The Jets will likely bring in another quarterback, but for now the team looks primed to ride this out with Wilson at QB - and a very good defense.

Travis Kelce’s absence clearly impacted the Chiefs’ offense in Thursday’s 21-20 loss to the Lions.

“Trav is getting better, he’s progressing,” head coach Andy Reid said Monday, via Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com. “We’ll see how he does the rest of today and tomorrow and we’ll go from there.”

Related players: Noah Gray

The story said reports last week indicated there’s a chance the star tight end could return for Sunday’s matchup with the Jaguars. But that’s not set in stone, it added. Gray would likely get the nod again if Kelce can't play in Week 2. Gray had five targets and a 3-31-0 line in Week 1. Luckily for owners, the Chiefs have an early game at Jacksonville in Week 2, so owners will have time to make alternate plans if needed.

After the game yesterday, Javonte Williams said his knee felt even stronger as the game went on.

Related players: Samaje Perine

It's great news for Williams owners, as he made amazing progress in the offseason to be ready for Week 1. Williams finished with a team-high 13 carries for 52 yards and he added four catches on six targets but for just five yards. Perine was still a factor, leading the team in receiving yards with an unimpressive 37 yards on four targets. But Williams was the leader in the backfield and the hope for owners is he continues to trend up. Week 1 was certainly a good sign bigger workloads could be in the future.

The Titans removed WR Treylon Burks (knee) from the injury report and he's good to go for Sunday's opener vs the #Saints.

Related Players: Deandre Hopkins, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine

Burks is thankfully back in the lineup, but he could still be an iffy start on fantasy squads. Hopkins is still a good bet to eat up target share on a team looking to run the ball as much as possible. Hopkins is a good Flex play while Burks should stay on the bench while we see what this offense is capable of.