Team news: Kansas City Chiefs | Page 1

Patrick Mahomes expects to play when the Chiefs take the field for the first Monday Night Football game of the season, September 14 against the Broncos.

Mahomes noted that he was told when he tore his ACL last year that it would be a nine-month recovery, and the Chiefs’ opener is nine months to the day since he suffered the injury, the story pointed out. There was never really a doubt Mahomes was going to play Week 1. He's seemingly been ahead of schedule all offseason. The story quoted Mahomes as saying, "This has always been the plan. From the day I got the surgery, as quick as I did, to hopefully the first game of the year, the plan will go accordingly, and I’ll be able to go out there and be myself."

Since the rookie receiver, Cyrus Allen, has returned from his shin injury, he’s been constantly involved with the first-team offense. What I’ve noticed and have continued to notice is that Patrick Mahomes is constantly looking his way during his progressions. Sometimes, he’s even hanging on Allen because he has such confidence that the rookie will come open.

The author said on Tuesday, Allen took some of those seam repetitions that have typically been reserved for Xavier Worthy and Tyquan Thornton. Allen continues to be the name we're all waiting to suddenly vanish from the fantasy radar after a hot start to his offseason work, but so far he continues to hold his own. Every week we're watching highlights of catches from the fifth round rookie, so continue to monitor his progress as we get closer to drafts.

It has taken Rashee Rice a bit of time to get his football legs back after missing OTAs and mandatory minicamp. He’s also still working his way back from offseason knee surgery. Rice has participated fully at practice for several consecutive days now, and he’s just finally starting to look like himself.

The author said Rice is trusting his knee more and more as practice goes on. Rice didn't play in Preseason Week 1, but is schedule to play in Week 2, which could be his next hurdle.

The Kansas City Chiefs received encouraging news Friday morning as rookie wide receiver Cyrus Allen returned to practice after missing nearly a week with a shin injury.

Allen, a fifth-round draft pick, had quickly become one of the biggest standouts of Chiefs training camp before suffering a shin bruise during Saturday’s practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph.

Related Players: Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Tyquan Thornton, Travis Kelce

Allen was one of Kansas City’s biggest early-camp standouts, earning first-team reps and developing an apparent rapport with Patrick Mahomes before the injury. His quick return allows him to resume competing with Tyquan Thornton, Jalen Royals and others for a depth role. Allen remains a deep fantasy dart throw, but his combination of training-camp buzz and attachment to the Chiefs offense makes him worth monitoring.

The Chiefs have plans to give running back Kenneth Walker III the majority of their carries. They signed him for a reason, and they believe he gives HC Andy Reid something he hasn't had in a very long time -- a running back who can do everything they need. They like him as a blocker, pass catcher and between-the-tackles runner. They're running more under-center plays with Patrick Mahomes, as they think that's the best way to maximize what Walker does best.

Related players: Emmett Johnson, Emari Demercado, Brashard Smith

Perhaps more of note for Walker owners is the story believes Johnson has a shot to be the number-two back. Johnson is the rookie fifth round back drafted this past spring. It will be a situation worth watching, especially if Walker is going to get a heavy workload. The story added Walker might have operated in a timeshare last season with the Seahawks, but the Chiefs believe he's capable of much more.

Tests on Chiefs rookie wide receiver Cyrus Allen revealed a shin bruise.

That's a lot better than what it could have been, given he was carted off following a collision during a special-teams drill. Allen has been getting rave reviews in camp and could carve out an early role in the Chiefs' offense. The rookie is already becoming a favorite of quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

The Chiefs are evaluating a pair of wide receivers for injuries: Xavier Worthy for a shoulder and Cyrus Allen for a lower leg.

Allen was carted off the field following a collision with cornerback Kaiir Elam during a special teams drill. Allen had been getting rave reviews and was already gaining the trust of quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Worthy had been recovering from his January surgery and was just cleared for return earlier this week.

Chiefs now have placed WR Rashee Rice, WR Tyquan Thornton and CBs Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson on season-ending injured reserve.

Related Players: Travis Kelce, Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster

With Chris Oladokun taking snaps this week, and potentially next, it'd be hard to trust any of these Chiefs pass-catchers in the most pivotal of pivotal fantasy weeks. Kelce can be considered a top-15 option, but not much more.

Justin Fields’ first season with the Jets has come to an end.

The Jets are putting Fields on injured reserve with a knee injury, ending his season.

Related players: Brady Cook, Tyrod Taylor

Cook will start at quarterback for the Jets, with Taylor backing him up. As the story said: the decision to give Fields a two-year, $40 million contract in March is looking like a costly mistake. Fields has a $20 million base salary next season, of which $10 million is guaranteed. It’s unclear at this point whether Fields will be back next year, but the Jets are on the hook for at least that $10 million either way.

Chiefs out of practice on Tuesday: CB Trent McDuffie (knee), KR Nikko Remigio (knee), WR Rashee Rice (concussion), WR Tyquan Thornton (concussion), CB Jaylen Watson (groin)

Chiefs could be down McDuffie/Watson against WR Courtland Sutton — presenting a tough matchup.

There isn't much reason to get Rice in the lineup for the Chiefs, who were eliminated from the playoffs and are likely down to their third string QB. Even if Rice plays, he could still be a big risk for fantasy lineups, just based on the QB play.