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Noah Gray Noah Gray Production sputters in 2025
Tue, Jan 6, 2026, 4:51 PM
Gray caught three of five targets for 30 yards during Sunday's 14-12 defeat to the Raiders.
Analysis: Gray's production grew year over year from 2021 until 2024, but he took a big step back in that regard during the 2025 campaign, amassing just 21 catches for 178 yards and failing to find paydirt for the first time in his career. With Travis Kelce a retirement candidate, Gray was once looked at as the potential heir to the starting role, but there are certainly questions as to whether he's a starting-caliber tight end. Pending Kelce's looming retirement decision, the Chiefs' offseason moves should be telling about the team's plans for Gray moving forward. |
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Dameon Pierce Dameon Pierce Makes Week 18 appearance
Tue, Jan 6, 2026, 4:33 PM
Pierce totaled four rushes for 10 yards during Sunday's 14-12 defeat versus the Raiders.
Analysis: Pierce signed on with the Chiefs' practice squad in late November, three days after being cut loose by the Texans. He was signed off the practice squad roster before Week 16 but remained inactive for both Weeks 16 and 17 before logging four carries for 10 yards in the season finale. The fourth-year running back should hit the open market again this offseason with hopes of earning a home on a 53-man roster somewhere next season. |
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Jalen Royals Jalen Royals Minimal impact as rookie
Tue, Jan 6, 2026, 4:15 PM
Royals totaled two receptions (on three targets) for four yards during Sunday's 14-12 loss against Las Vegas.
Analysis: Royals drew some buzz in preseason action, but it didn't translate to any real on-field production prior to Week 18. The rookie's two catches in the finale represent his only pair of catches in his rookie campaign. Chiefs wideouts JuJu Smith-Schuster and Hollywood Brown are slated to become free agents this offseason, so the Royals could have an opportunity to claim a healthier role in his second season if the brass believes in his long-term development. |
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JuJu Smith-Schuster JuJu Smith-Schuster Two grabs to close out season
Tue, Jan 6, 2026, 2:32 PM
Smith-Schuster reeled in both of his targets for 13 yards during Sunday's 14-12 defeat to Las Vegas.
Analysis: Smith-Schuster saw some run early in the season while Rashee Rice was suspended and again at the end with Rice out for the season due to injury, but he also tallied just four catches for 27 yards over seven games in the middle of the season. The veteran wideout finished with only 33 grabs for 345 yards and one touchdown overall and hasn't hit paydirt more than three times in a season since 2020. Smith-Schuster inked just a one-year deal with KC prior to the season, so he'll head into the offseason looking for another deal, whether with the Chiefs or elsewhere. |
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Hollywood Brown Hollywood Brown Notches three catches in Week 18
Tue, Jan 6, 2026, 1:50 PM
Brown gathered in three of six targets for 64 yards during Sunday's 14-12 loss to the Raiders.
Analysis: With the Chiefs missing out on the playoffs for the first time since 2014, Brown's 2025 campaign officially comes to a close. The 28-year-old wideout posted another middle-of-the-road campaign this season, racking up 49 catches for 587 yards and five touchdowns on 74 targets over 16 games. While he missed one, it's certainly a better sign that the veteran was able to stay healthy for the majority of 2025 after missing all but two games last season, and he'll head to free agency this offseason after only signing a one-year pact with KC prior to this year. Brown doesn't figure to command huge numbers but should have a spot on a roster somewhere again next year. |
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Brashard Smith Brashard Smith Gets chance as lead back
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 11:16 PM
Smith rushed the ball 12 times for 56 yards in Sunday's 14-12 loss to the Raiders. He added two receptions on four targets for two yards.
Analysis: Smith got the chance to serve as the lead back for the Chiefs with Isiah Pacheco (rest) sidelined. Smith led the team with 12 rushing attempts -- his highest mark since Week 7 -- and delivered solid chunk gains of 14, 10 and nine yards. He was not utilized much in his rookie season, but Smith's potential role in 2026 will be worth monitoring, as Kansas City is likely to remake its running back depth chart. |
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Chris Oladokun Chris Oladokun Benched at halftime
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 11:09 PM
Oladokun completed 11 of 17 passes for 58 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions in Sunday's 14-12 loss to the Raiders. He added one rush for zero yards and two lost fumbles.
Analysis: Oladokun started his second consecutive game in the absence of both Patrick Mahomes (knee) and Gardner Minshew (knee). He led one field-goal drive midway through the first quarter, though he lost a pair of fumbles in the second quarter and was benched at halftime. Oladokun remains under contract with the Chiefs in 2026, but he's very unlikely to get another opportunity at starting, even if Mahomes is sidelined to begin the year. |
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Kareem Hunt Kareem Hunt Muted production in defeat
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 10:30 PM
Hunt rushed five times for 14 yards and caught three of four targets for 21 yards in Sunday's 14-12 loss to the Raiders.
Analysis: Hunt was able to play in Week 18 after opening the week on the sidelines at practice with an illness, but he finished with fewer than 15 rushing yards for the third time in four weeks. The running back was able to match his season-high three catches though, finishing third on the team in receiving yards. Hunt has now completed his campaign having turned 163 carries into 611 yards and eight touchdowns while reeling in 18 of 25 targets for 143 yards and a touchdown over 17 regular-season contests. The 30-year-old will enter the offseason as a free agent, and he's proven to be a rather reliable short-yardage option in the backfield, potentially making him a desirable player on the open market. |
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Travis Kelce Travis Kelce Hits more milestones
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 9:45 PM
Kelce recorded three receptions on six targets for 12 yards in Sunday's 14-12 loss to the Raiders.
Analysis: The Chiefs predictably struggled to move the ball with the combination of Chris Oladokun and Shane Buechele leading the offense. Kelce still managed to hit a few milestones to add to his storied career, becoming the third tight end to 13,000 receiving yards in their career while also recording at least 75 receptions for the 10th straight season. Retirement rumors will now become prevalent until Kelce makes a decision about his playing future, and this could prove to be his final game in the NFL. |
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Isiah Pacheco Isiah Pacheco Not playing in Week 18
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 2:20 PM
Pacheco (rest) is inactive for Sunday's Week 18 matchup against the Raiders, Matt McMullen of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Pacheco turned in a trio of limited practices during Week 18 prep before heading into the weekend with a questionable tag, and the fourth-year pro's inactive status is now official. Pacheco's absence Sunday will leave the Chiefs' ground attack in the hands of Kareem Hunt, Brashard Smith and Dameon Pierce, with the latter garnering active status for the first time during his short tenure in Kansas City. |
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Xavier Worthy Xavier Worthy Inactive as expected Sunday
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 2:16 PM
Worthy (illness) is inactive for Sunday's Week 18 matchup against the Raiders, Matt McMullen of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: The second-year speedster was already carrying a doubtful tag into the weekend, so his inactive status is of little surprise. In Worthy's absence versus Las Vegas, veterans Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster are set to operate as the top two wide-receiver targets for starting quarterback Chris Oladokun. |
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Jason Brownlee Jason Brownlee Up to aactive roster again
Sat, Jan 3, 2026, 8:41 PM
The Chiefs elevated Brownlee from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, Charles Goldman of AtoZSports.com reports.
Analysis: The Chiefs are likely to be very shorthanded at wide receiver in the season finale Sunday against the Raiders. Brownlee will be elevated for the second straight game as a result, though he didn't log any snaps in Week 17. |
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Kareem Hunt Kareem Hunt Cleared for Sunday's game
Fri, Jan 2, 2026, 2:41 PM
Hunt (illness) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's season finale against the Raiders after practicing fully Friday.
Analysis: Hunt logged 'DNPs' Wednesday and Thursday, but the running back's full participation in Friday's session sets the stage for him to be available Week 18. Meanwhile, fellow RB Isiah Pacheco (not injury-related/rest) is listed as questionable to face Las Vegas, and if he's made inactive this weekend, Hunt would be in a position to lead a Kansas City backfield that also includes Brashard Smith and Dameon Pierce. In his last outing, Hunt logged a 56 percent snap share en route to rushing seven times for 38 yards in the Chiefs' Week 17 loss to the Broncos, while Pacheco carried nine times for 32 yards, seeing action on 35 percent of the team's snaps on offense. |
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Xavier Worthy Xavier Worthy Doubtful for season finale
Fri, Jan 2, 2026, 2:32 PM
Worthy (illness) is officially listed as doubtful for Sunday's season finale against the Raiders.
Analysis: Worthy could not practice in any capacity during Week 18 prep due to an illness, and it appears as though he'll sit out Kansas City's season finale. With Tyquan Thornton (concussion) and Rashee Rice (concussion) both on IR, Hollywood Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Jalen Royals will be positioned as Kansas City's starters in three-receiver stets to close out the 2025 campaign, assuming Worthy is indeed ruled out prior to Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. |
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Isiah Pacheco Isiah Pacheco Questionable for Week 18
Fri, Jan 2, 2026, 2:30 PM
Pacheco (rest) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Las Vegas.
Analysis: Pacheco was listed as limited on all three of the Chiefs' Week 18 injury reports with rest, while fellow RB Kareem Hunt didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday due to an illness before returning to a full session Friday. Having said that, Pacheco is entering the weekend with a designation, and Hunt is not. Kansas City is out of playoff contention, so the team may opt to rest Pacheco, but such a decision doesn't need to be made until about 90 minutes before Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. If Pacheco is inhibited or sidelined this weekend, Hunt, Brashard Smith and Dameon Pierce would be lined up to handle the backfield. |
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Xavier Worthy Xavier Worthy Status TBD for Week 18
Fri, Jan 2, 2026, 1:23 PM
Coach Andy Reid said Friday that "we'll see" when asked about Worthy's chances to play Sunday at Las Vegas, Charles Goldman of AtoZSports.com reports.
Analysis: Per Nate Taylor of ESPN.com, Worthy wasn't able to practice in any capacity this week as he deals with an illness. The Chiefs placed Tyquan Thornton (concussion) on injured reserve last week and did the same with Rashee Rice (concussion) this week, leaving the team with three healthy wide receivers on the active roster at the moment (Hollywood Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Jalen Royals). Based on Reid's comments, Worthy seems destined to be listed as questionable ahead of the weekend. |
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Xavier Worthy Xavier Worthy Not seen at start of practice
Fri, Jan 2, 2026, 12:04 PM
Worthy (illness) wasn't spotted at the media-access portion of Friday's practice, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.
Analysis: Worthy didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, so the wideout's apparent absence Friday clouds his status for Sunday's season finale against the Raiders. If Worthy is sidelined this weekend, Hollywood Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Jalen Royals would lead the Chiefs' Week 18 WR corps, with Jason Brownlee and Jimmy Holiday candidates to be elevated from the team's practice squad. |
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Kareem Hunt Kareem Hunt Absent from practice Thursday
Thu, Jan 1, 2026, 1:07 PM
Hunt (illness) did not practice Thursday, Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com reports.
Analysis: Hunt will miss a second straight practice due to an ailment he's managing. Unless he's able to resume practicing in full Friday, it looks like the veteran running back will be assigned an injury designation for Sunday's season finale against the Raiders. Isiah Pacheco could get a chance to handle a workhorse backfield role in Week 18 if Hunt can't go. |
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Xavier Worthy Xavier Worthy Misses another practice
Thu, Jan 1, 2026, 1:03 PM
Worthy (illness) is not practicing Thursday, Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com reports.
Analysis: Worthy is now sitting out a second straight practice due to illness, making him seem legitimately up-in-the-air for Sunday's season finale against Las Vegas. The second-year pro's finale chance to get back on the practice field will come Friday. If Worth can't play Week 18, it will be Hollywood Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Jalen Royals who act as the starting three wideouts for quarterback Chris Oladokun. |
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Kareem Hunt Kareem Hunt Dealing with illness
Wed, Dec 31, 2025, 4:46 PM
Hunt (illness) did not practice Wednesday.
Analysis: Hunt handled his usual backfield split alongside Isiah Pacheco during Kansas City's 20-13 loss to Denver on Christmas Day in Week 17, rushing seven times for a team-high 38 yards. The veteran is facing a chance to close out the year on a positive note with a favorable matchup against the Raiders on deck for Sunday, but he'll first need to get healthy from his current ailment. Hunt will have two more chances to retake the practice field ahead of Sunday's regular-season finale. |
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