Spencer

Ware

The team activated DT Xavier Williams from injured reserve in a corresponding move. Ware’s short-lived return to the field for Kansas City comes to a close with 17/51 (3.0 yards per carry) rushing and 5/22 receiving as the team’s primary pass-blocking back from Week 14 on. It will be interesting to see if the Chiefs activate LeSean McCoy for Sunday’s matchup behind Damien Williams and Darwin Thompson with Ware officially done for the year. The Chiefs can lock up a first-round bye with a win and Patriots loss in Week 17.

Ware was released with an injury settlement back in September. He’s had some workouts but has yet to resurface. Josh Jacobs has been dealing with a shoulder injury but isn’t on the Week 9 injury report.

Ware left in the fourth quarter of Sunday night’s win over the Bears and wasn’t able to return. The Chiefs are still vying for home field throughout the playoffs in the AFC, so Ware would undoubtedly suit up if he’s cleared to face the Chargers. Fantasy players should still expect Damien Williams to be leaned on for a majority of the team’s snaps again if healthy.

Ware went down in the fourth quarter. He had an 18-yard catch before exiting but was limited to just 14 yards on five carries on the ground. With Ware out and LeSean McCoy inactive, Damien Williams will handle all early-down work.

Ware showed off his pass-blocking chops with some thudding blitz pickups throughout the game, but the Chiefs don’t seem to be interested in going out of their way to feed him the ball. He’s unlikely to offer consistent fantasy value in 2019 unless the team suffers another injury in the backfield. Darwin Thompson and LeSean McCoy will remain boom-or-bust RB4s against the Bears in Week 16 if Damien Williams (ribs, illness) remains sidelined.

Williams had been trending toward a return this week, but his absence from Friday’s practice put him on the wrong side of questionable and now it appears he’ll miss his third straight game. With Williams unlikely to dress, expect the Chiefs to employ a three-man committee featuring LeSean McCoy, Darwin Thompson and Spencer Ware. McCoy is the best fantasy bet of those three, though fantasy owners competing in the semi-finals likely have better options at their disposal.

This marks the veteran’s second stint with Kansas City following a four-year tenure from 2015-18. The Chiefs’ backfield is in shambles with Damien Williams (ribs) week to week and Darrel Williams (hamstring) a long shot for Week 14. Ware will likely slide in as a low-volume back behind Shady McCoy and Darwin Thompson.

He’ll be joined by former Dolphins and Eagles bruiser Jay Ajayi. The Cardinals are in search of backfield depth with David Johnson (ankle) and D.J. Foster (hamstring) both hobbled. Ware has been a free agent since the Colts released him from injured reserve last month.

Ware is free to sign with any team next week. He was placed on the PUP list back in August after undergoing ankle surgery. Ware’s health will obviously be a key factor in whether or not he latches on with another team, but the 27-year-old RB is certainly capable of providing some solid depth in the right offense thanks to his plus-receiving ability.

Ware was surprisingly moved to the team’s reserve/PUP list, ensuring he would miss the first six weeks of the regular season despite being on track to return around Week 2. With an injury settlement, the 27-year-old could sign with another team and play the moment he’s cleared. Rapoport adds that Ware’s knee is fine following ankle surgery, and he’s only expected to be sidelined 5-6 weeks. Jordan Wilkins, Jonathan Williams, and Keith Ford will remain as backups to Marlon Mack and Nyheim Hines once Ware is cut loose.