As the first full week of the NFL preseason approaches, McKinnon remains unsigned.
In 12 regular-season games with the Chiefs last season, McKinnon carried 21 times for 60 yards and a TD, to go along with 25 catches (on 32 targets) for 192 yards and four receiving scores. For now, the 32-year-old remains without a team, which also applies to the likes of Kareem Hunt, Dalvin Cook and Latavius Murray. Once injuries hit NFL backfields as the preseason rolls along, however, the veteran free agents could draw some interest, with McKinnon offering a potential depth option for squads looking to add change-of-pace depth.
... See More... See Less
Chiefs' Jerick McKinnon: Back in action for Super Bowl
Rotowire
McKinnon (groin) is listed as active for Super Bowl LVIII against the 49ers on Sunday.
Since his last appearance Week 15, McKinnon was placed on injured reserve Dec. 24 and subsequently underwent surgeries to address a sports hernia and a fractured pelvis on Jan. 2. As the regular season came to a close, there was a belief that he wouldn't be able to return in the playoffs, but he bucked those thoughts when the Chiefs designated him for return Feb. 3. Thereafter, he put together three consecutive limited practices this week, which was enough to be listed as questionable on the team's final injury report for the Super Bowl. Kansas City then activated McKinnon on Saturday, and he'll now suit up for Sunday's game. Isiah Pacheco is the clear lead runner for the Chiefs, but McKinnon and Clyde Edwards-Helaire will be available for any RB reps that linger.
... See More... See Less
Chiefs' Jerick McKinnon: Trending toward playing Sunday
Rotowire
McKinnon (groin) remains listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the 49ers after being activated from injured reserve Saturday, but he's expected to play in Super Bowl LVIII, James Palmer of NFL Network reports.
After being placed on IR on Dec. 24 and undergoing surgery to address a sports hernia and fractured pelvis, McKinnon looked like a long shot to make it back at any point in the postseason. However, with the Chiefs advancing to the Super Bowl, McKinnon had some extra time to heal up, and he appears to have made dramatic strides in his recovery despite being a limited participant in practices leading up to the matchup with San Francisco. According to Palmer, McKinnon is still viewed as a game-time decision, but barring any setbacks in pregame warmups, the 31-year-old looks like he could be in store for a small role on offense behind starting running back Isiah Pacheco, though it's unclear if McKinnon will supplant Clyde Edwards-Helaire as the No. 2 option. McKinnon is expected to be formally cleared to play when Kansas City releases its inactive list approximately 90 minutes before the game's 6:30 p.m. ET scheduled kickoff.
... See More... See Less
Chiefs' Jerick McKinnon: Listed as questionable for SB LVIII
Rotowire
McKinnon (groin) is listed as questionable for the Super Bowl against San Francisco on Sunday.
The Chiefs designated McKinnon for a return from injured reserve this past weekend and then listed him as a limited practice participant throughout the week. Andy Reid said Tuesday that he didn't expect the 31-year-old to play this Sunday, but it's possible McKinnon looked better than his coach expected on the practice field. The Chiefs will need to activate him from injured reserve Saturday if he's going to play Sunday, in which case McKinnon might take back his role as the team's preferred back in obvious passing situations. Starter Isiah Pacheco and third-stringer Clyde Edwards-Helaire have shared those snaps in McKinnon's absence this postseason.
... See More... See Less
Chiefs' Jerick McKinnon: Another limited session
Rotowire
McKinnon (groin) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.
McKinnon is recovering from sports hernia surgery that he underwent in early January and now has managed to turn in two capped practices ahead of Sunday's Super Bowl matchup against the 49ers. It has been previously reported that he's unlikely to suit up for the contest, though an upgrade to a full session Friday could change his outlook. Without McKinnon in the mix, Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness) will handle the bulk of the work out of the backfield this weekend.
... See More... See Less
Chiefs' Jerick McKinnon: Limited in practice Wednesday
Rotowire
McKinnon (groin) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
McKinnon was designated to return from injured reserve last week after completing his recovery from sports hernia surgery and a procedure to address a fractured pelvis. He's eligible to play in Sunday's Super Bowl matchup with the 49ers, but head coach Andy Reid has already stated that McKinnon is unlikely to be cleared in time for that contest. Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire should continue to handle backfield duties for the Chiefs this weekend.
... See More... See Less
Chiefs' Jerick McKinnon: Not looking good for Super Bowl
Rotowire
McKinnon (sports hernia) hasn't been practicing this week, with Kansas City coach Andy Reid saying Tuesday that the running back is unlikely to play in the Super Bowl, NFL.coms Kevin Patra reports.
The team designated the 31-year-old running back to return from injured reserve Saturday, creating some hope that he'd be available against the 49ers this coming Sunday. That now sounds like a long shot. The snaps that went to McKinnon earlier this season have been divided between Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire in recent weeks.
... See More... See Less
Chiefs' Jerick McKinnon: Cleared to practice
Rotowire
McKinnon (sports hernia/pelvis) was designated to return from injured reserve Saturday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
McKinnon appeared to be unlikely to play at any point during Kansas City's playoff run after he was placed on IR on Dec. 24 before undergoing sports hernia surgery and another procedure to repair a fractured pelvis, but he's seemingly made quicker progress than anticipated. The veteran running back was helped by the fact that the Chiefs advanced to the Super Bowl, and if McKinnon can resume practicing during the upcoming week without any discomfort, he could have an outside chance at being available for the Feb. 11 matchup with the 49ers. Even if McKinnon demonstrates enough progress and is added back to the 53-man roster ahead of the Super Bowl, he would likely be in store for little more than a light backup role behind Isiah Pacheco, who has handled a three-down workload thus far in the postseason. Rather than Pacheco, Clyde Edwards-Helaire would be more at risk of losing snaps if McKinnon is activated for the Super Bowl.
... See More... See Less
Chiefs' Jerick McKinnon: Unlikely to return for playoffs
Rotowire
McKinnon (sports hernia/pelvis) was spotted using crutches Tuesday at the Chiefs' facility and appears unlikely to return from injured reserve at any point during the postseason, Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com reports.
McKinnon made his first appearance at team headquarters since he underwent surgeries Jan. 2 to address a sports hernia and a fractured pelvis. The 31-year-old missed the final three games of the regular season and is eligible to return beginning in the divisional round if the Chiefs are able to win their wild-card game against the Dolphins on Saturday, but the veteran running back doesn't look particularly close to resuming on-field work. McKinnon, who is scheduled to become a free agent this spring, finished his third season in Kansas City with 21 carries for 60 yards and a touchdown along with 25 catches for 192 yards and four scores on 32 targets over his 12 appearances.
... See More... See Less
Chiefs' Jerick McKinnon: Ruled out for Monday
Rotowire
McKinnon (groin) won't play Monday against the Raiders, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.
After not practicing Thursday and Friday, McKinnon wasn't spotted at practice Saturday and the running back is now slated to sit out Monday's contest. In his absence, look for Isiah Pacheco (who has been practicing fully this week) to lead the Chiefs' backfield versus Las Vegas, with Clyde Edwards-Helaire (personal) -- assuming his availability -- also in the mix. McKinnon will now target a potential return to action Dec. 31 against the Bengals.
... See More... See Less
Chiefs' Jerick McKinnon: Remains sidelined
Rotowire
McKinnon (groin) was not spotted at practice Saturday, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.
McKinnon has now failed to practice in any capacity during the week, casting significant doubt on his availability for Monday's game against the Raiders. That lines Isiah Pacheco up for a significant workload in his return from a two-game absence, with Clyde Edwards-Helaire (personal) next in line.
... See More... See Less
Chiefs' Jerick McKinnon: Sleeper RBs
Rotowire
The Steelers are beat up defensively with both safeties out in Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee) and Domatnae Kazee (suspension) and tackling at the second level of the defense could be a problem. That should help Joe Mixon, who is a must-start Fantasy running back, but Brown is also worth using as a flex in Week 16. He's done well over the past two games in tandem with Mixon with three catches in each of those two outings against the Colts and Vikings, and he's scored at least 8.1 PPR points in each game. He also has three games in a row with at least seven carries. Brown could be awesome with more work, but just use him as a flex in this matchup.
... See More... See Less
Chiefs' Jerick McKinnon: Not practicing Friday
Rotowire
McKinnon (groin) remained sidelined at Friday's practice, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.
McKinnon has missed each of Kansas City's first two practices this week, but he'll have one more chance to take the practice field Saturday before the team publishes its Week 16 injury report for Monday's game against the Raiders. It's unclear if McKinnon's current injury is related to the groin injury that sidelined him in Weeks 12 and 13.
... See More... See Less
Chiefs' Jerick McKinnon: Misses practice Thursday
Rotowire
McKinnon won't practice Thursday due to a groin injury, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.
McKinnon had previously missed games in Weeks 12 and 13 due to a groin issue, but his absence Thursday could be a case of load management rather than the result of a setback coming out of Sunday's 27-17 win over the Patriots. In any case, with Isiah Pacheco (shoulder) trending toward a return to action Monday against the Raiders, McKinnon may be headed for a lesser role in Kansas City's backfield.
... See More... See Less
Chiefs' Jerick McKinnon: Sleepers (Start/Sit)
Rotowire
We expect Isiah Pacheco (shoulder) to return in Week 16 against the Raiders, but if he's out then use McKinnon and Clyde Edwards-Helaire as flex options in all leagues. But I still like McKinnon as a flex with Pacheco in the lineup, and I expect him to still have a decent role. In two games without Pacheco, McKinnon only had seven touches in each outing, but he found the end zone three times (one passing, one rushing, one receiving). Going back to last season, McKinnon now has 11 rushing and receiving touchdowns in December and January over a span of nine games. The Chiefs love him near the goal line, and hopefully he can score once again in Week 16. Kansas City running backs have scored five total touchdowns against Las Vegas in the past two meetings.
McKinnon has scored a touchdown in every December game he's played with the Chiefs. He's their red zone weapon this time of year and he's a touchdown-dependent flex even if Isiah Pacheco returns.
... See More... See Less
Chiefs' Jerick McKinnon: Produces two TDs against Pats
Rotowire
McKinnon carried the ball four times for 11 yards, caught all three of his targets for 19 yards and a touchdown and completed his only pass attempt for a four-yard TD in Sunday's 27-17 win over the Patriots.
The veteran RB once again took a backseat to Clyde Edwards-Helaire in terms of touch volume with Isiah Pacheco (shoulder) inactive, but McKinnon was plenty productive. He took a direct snap and flipped the ball to Rashee Rice for a score late in the fourth quarter before catching an eight-yard touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes right before halftime. McKinnon has produced three TDs -- one rushing, one receiving and one passing -- in the two games Pacheco has missed, and he could continue to factor into Kansas City's red-zone plans in Week 16 against the Raiders.
... See More... See Less
Chiefs' Jerick McKinnon: Finds end zone against Buffalo
Rotowire
McKinnon carried the ball four times for 19 yards and a touchdown and caught all three of his targets for 18 yards in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Bills.
With Isiah Pacheco (shoulder) sidelined, Clyde Edwards-Helaire got the start at running back for Kansas City and saw 13 touches, but it was McKinnon who got into the end zone on a seven-yard run in the second quarter. It's the veteran RB's first score on the ground in almost exactly a year, although he's caught three TD passes in 2023. If Pacheco isn't ready to return in Week 15 against the Patriots, McKinnon and Edwards-Helaire figure to split snaps again.
... See More... See Less
Chiefs' Jerick McKinnon: Good to go for Week 14
Rotowire
McKinnon (groin) doesn't have an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Bills.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs' usual lead back, Isiah Pacheco (shoulder) is set to miss his first game of the season, leaving more snaps available for McKinnon and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Per Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com, head coach Andy Reid said Friday that Edwards-Helaire will be the next man up with Pacheco out, but Edwards-Helaire is likely to see the bulk of his touches as a ballcarrier while McKinnon serves as the team's primary back on passing downs. McKinnon, who had missed the Chiefs' previous two games with the groin injury, has recorded 19 catches for 155 yards and three touchdowns this season but only 30 rushing yards.
... See More... See Less
Chiefs' Jerick McKinnon: Puts in full practice
Rotowire
McKinnon (groin) was a full practice participant Thursday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.
McKinnon was sidelined for the Chiefs' past two games, but after following up a limited practice Wednesday with a full session Thursday, he's poised to return to the lineup Sunday against the Bills. When available, McKinnon has typically served mostly as a passing-down back, but he could carve out a larger role on the ground along with Clyde Edwards-Helaire if lead back Isiah Pacheco isn't available this weekend. Pacheco has missed the Chiefs' first two Week 14 practices with a shoulder contusion.
