Elijah

Mitchell

Losing Smith for this one is unfortunate. The capable pass blocker will be missed against an ascending Cowboys pass-rush unit. Both Mitchell and Royals are healthy scratches. Gray was unable to practice this week, due to a concussion. This matchup should produce a high-scoring game environment.

Even with Isiah Pacheco (knee) out, the Chiefs are not going to have Mitchell active, which means Clyde Edwards-Helaire has surpassed him on the depth chart. Simmons remains out due to unclear personal reasons.

Pacheco’s absence is expected. The Chiefs’ starting running back sprained an MCL in Week 8 against the Commanders and was deemed “week-to-week” on Tuesday after undergoing further testing. Pacheco’s sidelining reduces the backfield to a two-player committee, led by RB Kareem Hunt, who will likely remain on the field for short-yardage situations, including at the goal line. Rookie RB Brashard Smith will continue functioning as a featured receiver and part-time rusher. Hunt is a touchdown-dependent RB2 while Smith is a high-upside FLEX against a poor Bills’ run defense that just lost stud DT Ed Oliver (biceps) for the year. Backup RB Elijah Mitchell can be stashed in very deep leagues.

These updates are largely formalities, with Pacheco already having been deemed “week-to-week” as he recovers from a sprained MCL. His practice status must be monitored all the same, though. Fantasy managers should expect RB Kareem Hunt to function as the team’s primary rusher, particularly in scoring position, while rookie RB Brashard Smith continues operating as a featured receiver and change-of-pace rusher. The Chiefs also have RB Elijah Mitchell stashed in the No. 4 role. Keeping him in mind is worthwhile, though he is not expected to have a role on game day at this time.

Mitchell’s deactivation suggests the Chiefs will roll with Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt and rookie Brashard Smith, who notably took a few first-team reps in preseason play last month. He might be worth stashing on benches before kickoff. The Chiefs also declared WR Jalen Royals (knee), TE Jared Wiley, DT Omarr Norman-Lott, OL Hunter Nourzad and DE Malik Herring inactive.

Newell describes Smith as fit in “a gadget-type role for Kansas City, which would showcase him as both a runner and receiver.” It sounds like the seventh-round pick has an inside track to a roster spot over Elijah Mitchell.

Smith only had five touches, but showed he has some juice against the Seahawks. The 22-year-old running back made a defender miss in the backfield before bouncing the run outside and gaining 10 yards. Smith also caught both of his targets for 16 yards. He certainly looked better than Elijah Mitchell, who had just nine yards on four carries. Smith figures to mix in as one of a few backs behind Isiah Pacheco this season.

Hunt remains Isiah Pacheco’s primary backup at this time. Elijah Mitchell entered the game after him, rushing three times for 10 yards and catching 1-of-1 targets for 13 yards.

Arrowhead Pride’s Pete Sweeney noted the “interesting” development on Friday, with Mitchell having leapfrogged Kareem Hunt when it came time for the position group’s “rush period.” While Hunt slid to third, Brashard Smith and Carson Steele remained in the fourth and fifth spots, respectively. Starter Isiah Pacheco, of course, led the way. If Mitchell can lock down the No. 2 role, he would be a high-value bench stash option this year.

Newell, of course, gives the caveat that health has been Mitchell’s main issue for years, so it’s far from a lock that he makes it to the season without a scratch. The Chiefs jumped on the opportunity to sign Mitchell this offseason, inking him to a one-year deal worth “up to” $3.5 million at the start of free agency. It’s a high-upside move given Mitchell’s past success in San Francisco. He ran for 963 yards and five scores on 207 carries as a rookie but has been plagued by injuries ever since. Mitchell appeared in 16 games over the following two seasons and missed all of 2024 with a hamstring issue. While a healthy Isiah Pacheco should be penciled in for the bulk of the carries to start the year, Mitchell could work himself into a committee role if he continues to look back to form in practice.