Smith accrued three rushes for eight yards during Monday's 28-7 win against the Commanders.

Smith remains a depth back for the Chiefs, but his lack of involvement as a receiver out of the backfield is a bit disappointing. Monday's effort marks the first time since Week 1 that Smith wasn't targeted and the first time since Week 3 that he didn't record a reception. The rookie back played just nine offensive snaps Monday but could see a bit more run should Isiah Pacheco's MCL injury cost him some time.

Arizona re-signed Carter to its practice squad Tuesday.

Following a Week 8 bye, the Cardinals released Carter from the 53-man roster on Monday, but the fifth-year running back will end up sticking around in the organization. At the moment, Arizona has only two running backs on its roster -- Bam Knight and Emari Demercado (ankle), the latter of whom sat out a Week 7 loss to the Packers -- so Carter should be elevated from the practice squad ahead of Monday's game in Dallas. Knight still projects to serve as Arizona's lead option on the ground in Week 9.

Coach Jonathan Gannon said Carter will take part in Tuesday's practice, indicating that the Cardinals at least have re-signed him to the practice squad, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

Arizona released Carter on Monday, a procedural move to open up a spot on the active roster in order to activate first-round pick rookie DT Walter Nolen (calf) from the PUP list. Carter has been serving as the No. 2 RB behind Bam Knight the last two games with James Conner (foot) out for the season and Trey Benson (knee) likely at least a couple weeks away from his return from IR. During that two-game stretch, Carter gained 100 yards from scrimmage on 20 touches.

Pacheco is considered week-to-week due to a right MCL sprain that he suffered during Monday's 28-7 win against the Commanders, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

The injury undoubtedly stems from a hit to the side of his right knee that he took in the fourth quarter. Pacheco still ended up pacing the team in rushing yards (58), which was a season-high marks for the fourth-year pro. Assuming he does miss time, Kareem Hunt is lined up to lead Kansas City's backfield, while rookie Brashard Smith and potentially Elijah Mitchell are candidates for increased roles in the offense.

Head coach Dave Canales hinted Monday that Hubbard is likely to cede more carries to Rico Dowdle, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports. "Chuba has meant a lot to this organization and certainly to the identity that we want to build and we wanted to give him the opportunity to go out there and to continue to impact our team in a positive way," Canales said. "But we cannot ignore the fact that Rico has been exceptional. ... We love tempo and violence that he is running with. These are things we are looking back on the last four games and really taking a snapshot of what has been successful for us."

Carolina has more of a financial commitment to Hubbard after inking him to a four-year, $33.2 million extension last November, but Dowdle's stellar results over the past four weeks have made it difficult for Canales to justify a two-pronged approach in the backfield. While Hubbard was sidelined in Weeks 5 and 6 with a calf injury, Dowdle racked up 473 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in wins over the Dolphins and Cowboys. The offseason signing has continued to thrive while being used in a timeshare with Hubbard over the past two games, averaging 5.3 yards on his 25 carries, more than doubling up the incumbent's average of 2.5 yards on 26 totes. Hubbard isn't expected to disappear from Carolina's game plan completely and could even continue to make what amount to ceremonial starts, but Canales' comments indicate that Dowdle is viewed as the team's clear top option on the ground heading into Sunday's game in Green Bay.

Head coach Dave Canales hinted Monday that he's inclined to give Dowdle the bulk of the Panthers' carries rather than having him split work evenly with Chuba Hubbard, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports. "Chuba has meant a lot to this organization and certainly to the identity that we want to build and we wanted to give him the opportunity to go out there and to continue to impact our team in a positive way," Canales said. "But we cannot ignore the fact that Rico has been exceptional... We love tempo and violence that he is running with. These are things we are looking back on the last four games and really taking a snapshot of what has been successful for us."

While Hubbard was sidelined with a calf injury in Weeks 5 and 6, Dowdle took full advantage of his opportunity to serve as Carolina's lead back, amassing 473 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in wins over the Dolphins and Cowboys. In the two games since Hubbard returned, he alternated series with the offseason signing, but Dowdle has handily been the more productive back, averaging 5.3 yards on 25 carries compared to the incumbent's 2.5 yards on 26 carries. Though Hubbard may be on the field for the first snap Sunday in Green Bay, Canales' comments point to the touches tilting more dramatically in Dowdle's favor.

Hunt (ankle/knee) rushed nine times for 40 yards and a touchdown while taking his only reception for a two-yard score in Monday's 28-7 win over Washington.

Hunt overcame a pair of minor injuries and a limited practice week in order to suit up for Monday's primetime tilt. The 29-year-old rewarded steadfast managers with his second multi-score performance this season. Isiah Pacheco (12-58-0) led the team in rushing yards, but Hunt's pair of scores lifted the veteran to the superior fantasy line. With five total touchdowns to Pacheco's one, Hunt should continue being the favored back near the opponent's goal line for Sunday's road tilt against Buffalo.

Pacheco rushed 12 times for 58 yards and was not targeted in Monday's 28-7 win over Washington.

Pacheco finished as the Chiefs' leading rusher a week after scoring his first touchdown of the season. His 58 rushing yards also represented a new high-water mark through eight appearances, which also highlights his capped production as part of a backfield committee. Teammate Kareem Hunt still finished with the superior fantasy score after cashing in a pair of touchdowns in the lopsided win. Pacheco did absorb a hard shot to his right knee late in the contest, but he was seen moving freely on the sidelines after being checked out by the medical staff. Fantasy managers will want to monitor the rotation piece's status during the practice week ahead of a potential shootout against the Bills in Week 9.

McNichols rushed once for four yards and brought in five of six targets for 64 yards in the Commanders' 28-7 loss to the Chiefs on Monday night.

The veteran running back was once again minimally involved on the ground, but he posted team-high and season-best reception and receiving yardage totals. McNichols also tied for the team lead in targets while setting a new season-long high-water mark in that category, and he projects to remain in a similar role irrespective of who's under center for the Commanders in a Week 9 home matchup against the Seahawks on Sunday night.

Croskey-Merritt rushed nine times for 25 yards and failed to bring in his only target in the Commanders' 28-7 loss to the Chiefs on Monday night.

Croskey-Merritt was held under 3.0 yards per carry for the second consecutive game in what was a second straight lopsided loss for the Commanders. The rookie back outpaced backfield mates Chris Rodriguez and Jeremy McNichols by eight carries each, but McNichols was much more involved in the passing game while recording a team-high five catches and 64 yards while also logging a co-team-high six targets. Meanwhile, Croskey-Merritt continued to be an afterthought in the passing game, a trend that conspires to limit his fantasy value when rushing opportunities and/or running room is at a premium. The outlook doesn't get any rosier Week 9, as the Commanders welcome a tough Seahawks defense to town for a Sunday night showdown.