Jerick

McKinnon

Perine’s touch volume and usage remains unknown but the veteran pass-catching specialist is capable of at least partially filling the departed Jerick McKinnon’s role. Among 38 NFL RBs with at least 35 targets in 2023, Perine respectively ranks seventh and first in per-route target (24.3 percent) and yardage (2.09) rates. Questions as to starter Isiah Pacheco’s passing-down and scoring-position usage will be immediately answered following Week 1’s kickoff.

Jacobs says he declined to sign with the Chiefs, along with the Broncos, Bears, Cardinals, Dolphins, Giants and Texans. Jacobs’ statement perhaps most profoundly applies to the Chiefs’ starter Isiah Pacheco. The Chiefs’ front office allowed Jerick McKinnon to walk this offseason, publicly praising Pacheco’s three-down and scoring-position potential while adding only UDFA Carson Steele to the mix through the preseason’s conclusion. The Chiefs then signed pass-catching specialist Samaje Perine on Wednesday, in what was thought to be a likely depth-related move. The Chiefs’ prior pursuit of Jacobs, a capable three-down player, casts a slightly different light on Perine’s signing though; the front office may be less comfortable with increasing Pacheco’s receiving usage than it appeared for much of the summer. While Pacheco should still be viewed as a locked-in fantasy football RB1, his range of outcomes is now slightly wider than it was a week ago.

Former Chiefs passing-down specialist Jerick McKinnon handled 55.0 percent of third- and fourth-and-long snaps and 50.0 percent of the two-minute drill snaps last year. Adding the sizable, vacated role to Pacheco’s workload would be a significant boon to his 2024 fantasy prospects. Reid went on to say Pacheco “can run all the routes, he’s got great hands so... he can do [handle that role].” Pacheco has strong odds of sailing past his RB15 PPR finish from 2023.

Unsigned until May — in fairness, likely due to salary cap reasons — McKinnon failed to maintain the momentum of his comeback 2022, struggling for touches early in the season before landing on injured reserve following sports-hernia surgery. The change-of-pace back never bettered four carries or seven touches in a game, looking out of gas on the ground and less efficient than usual as a pass catcher. He allowed Isiah Pacheco to operate as the primary receiving back. Going on 32 with a lengthy injury history and lack of 2023 production, it’s possible McKinnon has played his final NFL contest.

Both players were recently activated from injured reserve and will be active against the 49ers. Inactive for the Chiefs are WR Justyn Ross, WR Kadarius Toney, RB La’Mical Perine, CB Ekow Boye-Doe, DE BJ Thompson, and LB Darius Harris.

McKinnon’s rehab has been nothing short of spectacular considering he underwent surgery to repair a hernia just five weeks ago. While his snap rate remains up in the air, the Chiefs get a solid boost to their red zone offense with McKinnon expected back on the field. That’s an important aspect of this matchup considering the Chiefs had the second largest drop in red zone touchdown rate from 2022 to 2023 during the regular season.

The Chiefs are taking McKinnon right up until game time after activating him from injured reserve with the intent to wait until Sunday to decide his game-day status for the Super Bowl. McKinnon is attempting to return from hernia surgery just five weeks ago. Lead back Isiah Pacheco has taken a commanding share of the backfield opportunities in the absence of McKinnon, the latter of whom could now feasibly reclaim his hefty red zone and schemed usage role should he return.

Pacheco was never really at risk of missing Sunday’s contest. Despite being listed with two injuries, Pacheco was a full participant and will be good to go. Jerick McKinnon (groin), on the other hand, is listed as questionable.

McKinnon (groin) was designated to return from injured reserve by the Chiefs this week, giving him a chance to practice before the Super Bowl. However, Andy Reid’s comments make it seem like it is unlikely we will see McKinnon play against the 49ers. Reid also said LG Joe Thuney is “a long shot” and also added “we’ll see” for WR Kadarius Toney’s chances of playing in the Super Bowl. Toney is practicing while Thuney and McKinnon are not.

This opens his 21-day practice window and gives him a chance to prove his health during the coming week before the team takes on the 49ers in the Super Bowl. McKinnon was thought to be done for the season when the team placed him on injured reserve before Week 16, but a run to the season’s ultimate game apparently provided enough time for a potential return to action. His presence would be a big boost to a team that led the league in pass rate over expectation and has clear biases towards the pass in the red zone.