Kansas City rests a handful of veterans in Week 3 preseason against Chicago, with several depth pieces not slated to play. Chiefs inactive list includes Nazeeh Johnson, Jake Briningstool, Jack Cochrane, Omarr Norman-Lott, Ethan Driskell, plus Jaylen Royals and Mike Edwards. Chicago mirrors that approach, keeping Deion Hankins, Jaylon Johnson, Terell Smith, Shaun Wade, Kyler Gordon, Austin Booker and Dominique Robinson sidelined. Inactives emphasize rest and evaluation over injury, and rosters must disclose who sits about 90 minutes before kickoff. Fantasy takeaway: this is the weekend to watch untested backups seize reps and potentially carve roles behind the top units.

Expect Briningstool and Cochrane to get looks that could foreshadow later usage, while Norman-Lott and Driskell bubble up opportunities on the Chiefs’ interior line and depth chart. For Chicago, the absence of the starting DBs sharpens the spotlight on reserve corners and versatile linemen, which can tilt snap shares for those chasing late-round DFS angles. In other words, Week 3 becomes a stage for rookies and depth players to prove themselves and potentially alter late-season fantasy plans.

Overall, the matchup serves as a practical lab for evaluating depth and future rotation shifts, with inactives signaling thoughtful rest rather than injury. Both franchises leverage the game to test cohesion and identify hidden value among backups, a reminder that preseason results often illuminate future fantasy opportunities more than box-score highlights.

Chiefs prep for the preseason finale vs. Chicago with a growing list of injuries and a clear shift in how starters will be used in Week 3. Reid aims to balance timing and health, giving starters some reps while protecting key veterans ahead of Week 1 in Brazil against the Chargers.

Out for Friday are Briningstool, Cochrane, Driskell, Edwards, Nazeeh Johnson, Omarr Norman-Lott and Jalen Royals, with Fulton a potential returnee. Brown remains day-to-day after a foot/ankle issue. The injury chart tightens depth at TE, CB, and on the o-line, while the club emphasizes rhythm and proximity to the season opener.

Fantasy implications center on who steps up for Week 1 when Brown’s status is uncertain and CB depth is in flux. The plan prioritizes timing and execution, suggesting late-round flier opportunities at wideout and tight end, plus a watchful eye on back-end defensive roles as the opener in Brazil approaches.

Kansas City rests a cluster of veterans in Week 2 of the preseason against Seattle, clearing a path for depth players and late-round prospects to audition behind Hollywood Brown, Briningstool, Deon Bush, Janarius Robinson, Ethan Driskell, and Kareem Hunt. Seattle mirrors the strategy, listing Olu Oluwatimi, Josh Ross, Charles Cross, Kenny McIntosh, Johnathan Hankins, Uchenna Nwosu, and Tyrice Knight as not expected to play. In such games, the fantasy angles shift toward the players fighting for backups, special-teams roles, and breakout opportunities in a game-script that emphasizes depth over stars.

With Brown and Hunt sidelined, Chiefs reps at wideout and backfield become more unpredictable, elevating backup receivers and rotational backs into potential late-round fantasy dice rolls. Seattle’s inactive list creates a similar vacuum along the offensive line and linebacking corps, where a few veterans could be eased in or pushed to star in a run-heavy, evaluative environment. Those watching for fantasy return value should focus on the depth chart movers who flash in extended opportunities, as preseason reps often foreshadow emerging roles come the regular season.

Keep in mind preseason inactives are subject to change and aren’t formalized the same way as regular-season lists. Rosters and playing time can shift an hour before kickoff, underscoring the value of quickly updating projections as the game unfolds.

The Kansas City Chiefs are shaping up for an exciting season, particularly with their tight end position, where rookie Jake Briningstool has made a significant impression. During a recent training camp session, he demonstrated his potential by catching a touchdown pass from the star quarterback Patrick Mahomes while working with the first-team offense. This performance puts him into contention for a spot on the 53-man roster, especially as the Chiefs evaluate their roster depth ahead of the upcoming season.

Despite the dominance of veteran Travis Kelce, Briningstool's ability to shine in practice showcases his potential value to the team. The competition for tight ends in Kansas City is fierce, but Briningstool's recent display may have cemented his place as a serious candidate for a roster spot. As the Chiefs prepare for their season, all eyes will be on how this rookie develops and if he can carve out a role alongside the established stars.