Without starter Isiah Pacheco, the Kansas City Chiefs have turned their backfield over to Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon. However, in their Week 15 contest against the New England Patriots, McKinnon appeared to suffer an injury of his own.
Jerick McKinnon Injury Update
On their final drive of the first half, McKinnon took a reception for an eight-yard touchdown. Yet, he landed hard on his right shoulder in the end zone. Shortly after the play, he went to the locker room accompanied by trainers, letting his right arm hang limp.
It’s Jerick McKinnon’s time of year❕
However, McKinnon may have gotten banged up on the TD play and went to the locker room before half.#ChiefsKingdom
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 17, 2023
It’s been a big fantasy day for the 31-year-old back, as he also threw a four-yard TD to rookie WR Rashee Rice on a trick play during the team’s second possession. McKinnon is only the third player in franchise history to record a passing and receiving TD in the same game.
MORE: Kansas City Chiefs Depth Chart
The Chiefs were able to evaluate the veteran back during halftime. Fortunately, McKinnon was able to return to Sunday’s game for the start of the third quarter.
UDFA Deneric Prince was also on the active roster but did not log the first carry of his young career today.
Fantasy Fallout From McKinnon’s Injury
The Chiefs are starting to get pretty thin at the running back position after McKinnon got banged up at the end of the first half against the Patriots. McKinnon has found the end zone in two consecutive games without Pacheco in the lineup while dealing with a shoulder injury.
McKinnon generated 26 total yards on six total touches prior to sustaining an injury. If he is unable to return, Edwards-Helaire and Prince would see the bulk of the work out of the Kansas City backfield for the remainder of the game.
— PFN Fantasy Analyst Derek Tate