Chiefs Rookie RB Gets Promising Update from Head Coach Andy Reid
The Kansas City Chiefs didn’t exactly have the start to the 2025 campaign that they were hoping for, but after picking up wins in three of their past four games, it appears they are back on the right track. However, there are still some issues that need to be cleaned up if the team intends to find its way back to the Super Bowl.
One of the biggest problems for the Chiefs so far this season has been their lack of a rushing attack. Both Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt have struggled to get anything going, and for most of the season, Patrick Mahomes has been the team’s most effective runner. Heading into Week 8, head coach Andy Reid has a potential fix, and it involves rookie running back Brashard Smith.
Brashard Smith Could Earn More Snaps for the Chiefs
In 2024, the Chiefs’ rushing attack struggled to get much going, thanks in large part to Pacheco missing the majority of the season with a fractured fibula. The hope was that he could enjoy a nice bounce-back season in 2025 now that he is fully healthy, but to this point, he has continued to struggle alongside Hunt.
Mahomes has managed to make up for the struggles with his scrambling ability, but at some point, it’d be nice for him to have some sort of consistent rushing attack to support him. With Pacheco and Hunt unable to get much going, fans have called for Smith, a seventh-round rookie, to get more touches out of the backfield.
To this point, Smith hasn’t managed to do much on the ground, racking up just 67 yards on 22 carries, but he picked up 122 yards on 14 catches out of the backfield, showing off his potential in the process. With Kansas City needing some help at running back, Reid recently made it sound like Smith could get some more snaps on offense moving forward.
“He’s done a nice job of picking it up … he’s hung right in there and done a good job,” Reid said of Smith on Friday. “We’ve been able to give him a little bit more each week in different roles; we’re moving him all over the place. I wouldn’t see that part changing; we’re gonna keep utilizing his talents.”
Chiefs Aiming to Continue Winning Ways in Week 8
GettyKansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid.
With Mahomes having his full complement of pass catchers back on the field, that should help him make up for the lack of a rushing attack. If Smith can emerge as an unexpected contributor in the same way Pacheco burst onto the scene as a seventh-round rookie himself back in 2022, that could help make the Chiefs even more dangerous than they already are.
Kansas City is rolling right now, and it will look to continue its winning ways when it takes on the Washington Commanders in Week 8. The Commanders are dealing with their own share of injury problems, with the most consequential of the bunch involving star quarterback Jayden Daniels, who has been ruled out for this game. With this game scheduled for Monday Night Football, kickoff is currently set for 8:15 p.m. ET.
Packers Get Bad News on Star Rookie Before ‘SNF’ vs. Steelers
The Green Bay Packers could be without their top rookie due to an injury when they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers for Sunday Night Football in Week 8.
After Friday’s practice, the Packers added first-round rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden to their injury report with a hip injury and designated him as questionable to play against the Steelers on Sunday after he started the week as a full participant.
The Packers could still clear Golden to play against the Steelers, but his injury popping up in the middle of the week — and threatening his availability — is mildly concerning. Even if the team believes it is not a long-term issue, it could impact how much they are willing to play Golden on Sunday if they are worried about making the problem worse.
Golden has the third-most receptions (18), receiving yards (249) and targets (23) for the Packers through the first seven weeks of the season, but they also have a plethora of quality pass-catchers dotting their roster who could pick up the slack if Golden sits out.
The Packers (4-1-1) will kick off against the Steelers (4-2) at 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Matthew Golden Had Started to Break Out for Packers
Golden’s injury comes at an unfortunate time for the rookie, even if he plays Sunday.
Golden has gradually become a more vital part of the Packers’ passing offense over the past month. After seeing just four targets combined in his first two NFL games, he has received at least four targets in each of his last four games, catching 16 passes for 233 yards and emerging as one of starting quarterback Jordan Love’s new favorites.
Golden has also yet to drop a single pass six games into his NFL career, underscoring another reason (reliable hands) why the Packers selected him with the No. 23 pick.
Fortunately, there is still hope that Golden’s hip injury is minor. The Packers have not yet commented on the nature or extent of it, as head coach Matt LaFleur spoke to the media before the team added Golden to the injury report following Friday’s practice.
If the Packers rule out Golden in Sunday’s pregame, though, it will spark more concern for his status moving into Week 9 — and the second half of the 2025 regular season.
Christian Watson Activated PUP List for Week 8 Game
The Packers would take a hit if they did not have Golden available against the Steelers in Sunday night’s prime-time matchup, but they will have back Christian Watson.
In a series of Saturday roster moves, the Packers activated wide receiver Christian Watson from the reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP) list, clearing the way for him to return to the field for the first time since he tore his ACL early last January.
The Packers could potentially hold Watson to a pitch count in his first game back, but his availability should help alleviate concerns with Golden’s injury status. He can either split the reps with Golden in the “Z” receiver role if both play against the Steelers, or he can pick up the slack and take over for Golden entirely if the latter is ruled out.
