The Kansas City Chiefs expect running back Isiah Pacheco to play in their regular season opener against the Detroit Lions. Pacheco had offseason surgeries on his hand and shoulder. He has been a limited practice participant through camp and has yet to be cleared for contact.

Related Players: Jerick McKinnon, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Deneric Prince

Pacheco led the Chiefs in rushing last season as a rookie. He ran for 76 yards and a touchdown in the Super Bowl. Practically everyone in this backfield is worth a flier at their current ADPs, including late-round darts on UDFA Deneric Prince who has impressed in camp during Pacheco's absence. Pacheco himself still garners RB2 upside if he is indeed ready for the regular season.

Running back Isiah Pacheco, who missed all of offseason practice after having surgeries for shoulder and hand injuries, said he would "absolutely'' be at full strength on Sept. 7 when the Kansas City Chiefs begin defense of their Super Bowl championship against the Detroit Lions.

Related Players: Jerick McKinnon, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Deneric Prince

The current favorite to lead the Chiefs backfield in touches, Pacheco started gaining some consistency by the end of last season and delivered as an RB2 in fantasy down the final stretch of the regular season. As stated in a previous news story, starting training camp on the PUP list doesn't necessarily mean he'll remain there throughout camp, so we'll keep an eye on the situation over the next few weeks. Pacheco is currently slightly ahead of Jerick McKinnon in our half-PPR ranks, where they both are floating around the RB30 mark.

Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco could start training camp on the active/PUP list, head coach Andy Reid said in Tuesday's press conference. Pacheco underwent hand and shoulder surgeries during the offseason.

Related Players: Jerick McKinnon, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Deneric Prince

The current favorite to lead the Chiefs backfield in touches, Pacheco started gaining some consistency by the end of last season and was delivering as an RB2 in fantasy down the final stretch of the regular season. "Starting" training camp on the PUP list doesn't necessarily mean he'll remain there throughout camp, so we'll keep an eye on the situation over the next few weeks. Pacheco is currently slightly ahead of Jerick McKinnon in our half-PPR ranks, where they both are floating around the RB30 mark.

Prince, a rookie undrafted free agent, took advantage of a thin running back depth chart and stood out as a receiver during offseason practice, making several difficult catches. With Isiah Pacheco recovering from offseason surgery, Prince has a chance to claim not only a roster spot but some playing time if he shows an aptitude for pass protection at training camp.

Related Players: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Jerick McKinnon

While the UDFA Prince is most likely an addition for special teams purposes, any running back with a role in the Cheifs' offense is enough to perk our ears. After all, Pacheco was the team's second-to-last selection in the 2022 NFL Draft and the fantasy community drooled over him all of last offseason.

Keep Prince on your radar and maybe scour your Dynasty waiver wires just in case.

Isiah Pacheco’s offseason surgeries have kept him off the field for organized team activities (OTAs) — and reigning December and January AFC offensive player of the month Jerick McKinnon has not been spotted at any of the three sessions open to media viewing.

That has led to critical reps for Deneric Prince, who is working with Clyde Edwards-Helaire and La’Mical Perine.

While the UDFA Prince is most likely an addition for special teams purposes, any running back with a role in the Cheifs' offense is enough to perk our ears. After all, Pacheco was the team's second-to-last selection in the 2022 NFL Draft and the fantasy community drooled over him all of last offseason.

Keep Prince on your radar and maybe scour your Dynasty waiver wires just in case.

The Chiefs have officially re-signed RB Jerick McKinnon today. McKinnon played an integral role for the Super Bowl champs last year, leading the team with 9 TD catches, and was named a team captain during the playoffs.

Related Players: Isiah Pacheco, Clyde Edwards-Helaire

As we can expect, it's a yearly occurrence that the fantasy community clamors over who the Chiefs could take at running back during the draft, and once again, it was a low priority in 2023. Outside of UDFA Deneric Prince, the team didn't bother with the position, leaving the incumbents another chance to prove themselves.

McKinnon had eight TD receptions in Weeks 13-18 last season, and is in a great spot to continue his success in the passing game out of the backfield.

Chiefs placed RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire on injured reserve due to his high ankle sprain. He’s now out a minimum of four weeks.

Related players: Isiah Pacheco, Jerick McKinnon, Ronald Jones

The Chiefs plan of attack looks to remain the same at RB as it really had been over the last couple of weeks - Pacheco as the RB1 with McKinnon getting some carries and playing in some passing situations. However, after being inactive all season, we may get a Jones sighting in Week 12.

The Chiefs still don't seem comfortable using Clyde Edwards-Helaire in most third-down situations, and until they do, the backfield is going to be more of a committee thing. But don't ignore that Edwards-Helaire has three touchdowns in three games.

Related players: Jerick McKinnon, Isiah Pacheco

The Chiefs seeming don't trust CEH in certain situations, and that was also clear last season in the playoffs when McKinnon stood out. McKinnon could very well still be on your waiver wire and is worth a pickup and a stash on your bench. CEH does seem to get the goal line carries, but the story said you can't count on him to keep up his current TD pace.

Chiefs list Ronald Jones as RB4.

Related players: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Isiah Pacheco, Jerick McKinnon

McKinnon is listed as the team's RB2 with the rookie Pacheco getting the RB3 nod. Pacheco will also return kickoffs. CEH is the team's RB1, which isn't a surprise. However in the playoffs last year the team seemed to go away from him at times, giving McKinnon more of a workload.

RB Ronald Jones made the initial 53-player roster, according to a source.

Related players: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Isiah Pacheco, Jerick McKinnon

Jones played his way onto the roster with a strong Week 3 of preseason, the tweet went on to say. He ran 8 times for 43 yards and caught a four-yard pass. He's at least behind CEH and McKinnon on the depth chart, and he could even fall behind seventh-round rookie Pacheco.