Team news: Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs coach Andy Reid told reporters that RB Isiah Pacheco (knee) will return from his knee injury and play against the Cowboys on Thursday.

Related players: Kareem Hunt

All signs pointed to that when Pacheco was listed as a full participant in the practice report from Monday. Pacheco will cut into Hunt's touches as long as he's healthy, but it remains to be seen what kind of workload Pacheco will get his first week back.

Chiefs WR Rashee Rice was limited on Monday. RB Isiah Pacheco was listed as full.

Related players: Patrick Mahomes, Kareem Hunt

Rice is dealing with a hamstring issue and this will be worth monitoring on a short week. It looks like Pacheco (knee) will return to the lineup after a full practice, which will cut into Hunt's workload. Also, Mahomes is dealing with a groin injury, but was also listed as having a full practice.

Andy Reid said everyone did practice today, but Isiah Pacheco (right knee) is going to be out for Sunday's game against the Colts.

"It wasn't a setback," Andy Reid said "I think he's coming out pretty good. I think that's a plus."

Related Players: Kareem Hunt, Brashard Smith

Outside of a few dumpoffs to Smith, Hunt basically has the bellcow role when Pacheco is out, though he doesn't quite have the explosiveness to register close to an RB1 anymore. He's still useful as a top-30 option this weekend, though.

Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco and WR Xavier Worthy were listed as limited participants in today’s practice.

Related Players: Kareem Hunt, Brashard Smith, Rashee Rice, Hollywood Brown, Tyquan Thornton

Each player still has some time, but as it stands, Hunt would be a fringe RB2/3 option and Smith would operate as an RB4 candidate were Pacheco to miss again.

Rashee Rice is an obvious WR1 regardless, but Brown could sneak into WR4 consideration in a good matchup, should Worthy miss the game.

The Chiefs ruled out RB Isiah Pacheco (knee) for Sunday's game vs. Denver.

LT Josh Simmons and WR Xavier Worthy are off the injury report.

Related Players: Kareem Hunt, Brashard Smith, Rashee Rice, Hollywood Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Travis Kelce

With Pacheco set to miss more time, Hunt should be considered a fringe RB2/3, while Smith is more of a desperation RB4.

While Rice is still in WR1 territory, Brown is pushed out of potential WR4 range.

George Karlaftis and Xavier Worthy were limited in practice today.

Isiah Pacheco did not practice.

Related Players: Kareem Hunt, Brashard Smith, Rashee Rice, Hollywood Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Travis Kelce

With Pacheco set to miss more time, Hunt should be considered a fringe RB2/3, while Smith is more of a desperation RB4.

While Rice would still sit in WR1 territory whether or not Worthy plays, Brown would elevate into more of a boom/bust WR4 role.

Reid nudged that RB Isiah Pacheco (knee) may take more time.

Related players: Kareem Hunt, Brashard Smith, Clyde Edwards-Helaire

The Chiefs are coming off their bye and so it's not a great sign that Pacheco isn't ready to go. Hunt should be the team's main back with the rookie Smith likely getting a few more touches, perhaps especially in the passing game. There was even an Edwards-Helaire sighting back in Week 9, as the Chiefs continue to recycle running backs.

WR Hollywood Brown (ill), RB Isiah Pacheco (knee) and LT Josh Simmons (personal) will not practice on Wednesday ahead of Buffalo. As described by Andy Reid, RG Trey Smith will give it a "whirl" after going through the walkthrough.

Related Players: Kareem Hunt, Brashard Smith

Given that Brown's absence is due to illness, we'll hold off making any sweeping judgments about his absence.

As for Pacheco, it seems very unlikely he'll play in Week 9, leaving Hunt (RB2) and Smith (low-end RB3) in the mix as fantasy pieces.

Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco, who left Monday night’s win with a knee injury, is considered week-to-week with an MCL sprain, per sources.

Related players: Kareem Hunt, Brashard Smith, Elijah Mitchell

The week to week tag suggest Pacheco could at least miss Week 9, which is a showdown against the Bills. Keep in mind, the Chiefs have a bye in Week 10. Hunt should get his normal workload but Smith could be an interesting add as he seems to be trending up, especially in the passing game, and it could result in more touches overall if Pacheco is out.

Before the practice, coach Andy Reid said Rashee Rice will make his season debut Sunday when the Chiefs host the Las Vegas Raiders (1 p.m. ET, CBS).

"How many snaps he gets, [I don't know]," Reid said of Rice. "He's excited to be back in and going. I think getting through practices [this week] will be good for him to get into the swing of things. He's been working hard. He's in good shape."

Related Players: Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, Tyquan Thornton, Travis Kelce

We could see a bit of a snap count for Rice, but we wouldn't assume they would be putting him on the field if they weren't going to use him. Even if he is limited, this should be quite the upgrade for Patrick Mahomes, while the intermediate work for Kelce could end up taking a backseat to the far more explosive option. Rice should be considered more of a fantasy WR2 than WR1 as he ramps up.