Jerick McKinnon could see real fantasy football boost for KC Chiefs in Week 6

The K.C. Chiefs backfield is going to produce fantasy football points for someone. One thing fantasy owners are wanting to know is exactly who will benefit from the touches vacated by the injury to Clyde Edwards-Helaire, the primary choices are down to Darrel Williams and Jerick McKinnon, but for those banging the drum for the latter since the offseason signing, he might come up big in Week 6 against the Washington Football Team.

The Chiefs lost their primary running back in Edwards-Helaire to a sprained MCL in the team’s loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 5. Earlier this week, they placed CEH on injured reserve, which means he’s out for at least three weeks. In the wake of his injury the Chiefs called up Derrick Gore from the practice squad but they are likely rolling forward with the combination of Darrel Williams and Jerick McKinnon.

Williams is a known quantity to Chiefs fans and a great story as a former undrafted free agent out of LSU. He took over in the postseason as the primary ball carrier when Edwards-Helaire went out with another high ankle sprain last postseason. It’s safe to say he’ll continue to receive a decent amount of the carries. However the x-factor here would be McKinnon, who was signed to a low-cost one-year deal in the offseason yet comes with quite a bit of potential.

Jerick McKinnon could see big fantasy boost for KC Chiefs.

Remember that McKinnon landed a nice multi-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers in free agency a few years back before suffering injuries of his own that kept him out of the 2018 season and ruined the following season as well. He was healthy and back again in 2020, but had lost his spot on the depth chart and never had a real chance to show what he could do as a featured back.

When the Chiefs signed him, it certainly wasn’t intended to supplant Edwards-Helaire in any real way, but McKinnon did come with a well-rounded skill set that made him an intriguing addition. He’s an elusive runner with a solid burst. He also has good hands out of the backfield and he’s a very willing blocker. If he’s learned enough of Andy Reid‘s offense, it could be interesting to see what he can do when given touches.

Last week, McKinnon had 1 rush for 2 yards but caught two passes for 13 yards after watching Edwards-Helaire leave the game. Fantasy owners might see McKinnon as a waiver wire flyer worth taking for a few weeks of potential fantasy results as a pass-catching back in a high-octane offense.