Chiefs HC Andy Reid announced Wednesday that QB Nick Foles will start this weekend's game against the Jaguars. The team claims that QB Alex Smith didn't sustain a concussion last Sunday, but Reid said that he's in the "return-to-play" protocol. It's a confusing situation. Foles was surprisingly solid in relief of Smith last week, completing 16 of 22 passes for 223 yards, 2 TDs and 0 INTs. He's on the 2-QB radar for Week 9, and we wouldn't consider him a significant downgrade for WR Jeremy Maclin or TE Travis Kelce.

Chiefs QB Alex Smith did NOT suffer a concussion in Sunday’s game, per team trainer Rick Burkholder. He said Smith is “asymptomatic right now” but will see an independent neurologist this week to be safe. Barring an unexpected turn, Smith will be ready for Sunday’s meeting with Jacksonville.

Chiefs QB Alex Smith exited again in the 3rd quarter of Sunday's game against the Colts to get checked for a concussion. He had his head slammed against the turf for the 2nd time. Smith was cleared the 1st time, but we'd be surprised to see him return again.

Update: Smith has been diagnosed with a concussion.

Chiefs QB Alex Smith is being evaluated for a concussion. He took a big shot and had his head slammed against the turf. We'll update Smith's status when we learn more. QB Nick Foles replaced him.

Update: Smith returned in the 2nd quarter.

The forecast for today's Chiefs-Raiders game calls for a 60% chance of rain with winds of 15-19 mph. "Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph," according to The Weather Channel. That wind is a much bigger concern than the rain. It'll impact both passing games, especially deeps balls. That's a bigger issue for Derek Carr than Alex Smith, who rarely goes deep anyway. We're nudging Carr and his WRs down the Week 6 Rankings.

ESPN's Adam Teicher reports that Chiefs coaches believe QB Alex Smith is "having the best training camp" in his 4 years with the team. Co-OC Matt Nagy said Smith is "really playing fast" and showing strong decision-making. That's nice to hear, and Smith's play can only help the fantasy outlooks of the skill players around him. We know what we have in the low-ceiling QB, however. He's fine as a late QB2. Just don't expect a big fantasy breakthrough in his age-32 campaign.

The Chiefs have signed QB Nick Foles. He's reuniting with HC Andy Reid, who was with the Eagles when they drafted Foles back in 2012. Foles' big 2013 season, of course, came under HC Chip Kelly. Alex Smith remains locked in as Kansas City's starting QB. Foles should at least be able to beat out Aaron Murray, Tyler Bray and Kevin Hogan for the backup job.

Winds of 23-28 mph are expected for today's Browns-Chiefs game.  That's certainly enough to impact the passing games, although neither team has much of a downfield attack.  Kansas City figures to go even more run-heavy than usual.  Downgrade WR Jeremy Maclin and TE Travis Kelce a tad, but both are still fine fantasy starters.  Browns TE Gary Barnidge remains a solid play.

The forecast for this afternoon's Chargers-Chiefs game calls for an 85% chance of rain with 10-14 mph winds.  This set up as a run-heavy, low-scoring game to begin with, and the weather will only add to that.  With WRs Stevie Johnson and Dontrelle Inman out and QB Philip Rivers playing with the flu, San Diego's passing game figures to struggle.  That'll only make it easier for the Chiefs to ride their running game.

Chiefs insider Adam Teicher noticed "budding chemistry" between QB Alex Smith and WR Jeremy Maclin this spring.  Smith raved about the connection at the conclusion of minicamp.  “I feel really good about where things are right now, where they’re going, how they have progressed,” Smith said. “I really feel like we’ve gotten great work as a whole, but he and I especially have gotten a lot of reps together, a lot of good looks. I really feel like we have a good foundation before we put the pads on and head into camp.”  Malin has the advantage of familiarity with HC Andy Reid's offense from their time together in Kansas City.  Smith's conservative style caps Maclin's 2015 fantasy upside, but he's fairly price at his 6th-round ADP.

The Chiefs want QB Alex Smith to be "more of a risk-taker" this season, according to insider Adam Teicher.  Smith has long been known as a game-manager, dink-and-dunk type of passer.  That was certainly the case last year.  Per Pro Football Focus, Smith attempted just 27 passes 20+ yards downfield in 2014.  That ranked 37th league-wide.  (There are only 32 teams in the NFL.)  In WR Jeremy Maclin and TE Travis Kelce, Kansas City has a couple of guys that can stretch the field.  More aggressive play from Smith might mean more a lower completion rate and more INTs.  But it would also likely help his passing and TD totals.  It'd be a net gain for his fantasy football value.

The Chiefs have signed QB Terrelle Pryor. He was out of the league all last season after being cut by the Seahawks in August. Pryor will always be an intriguing fantasy prospect because of his rushing ability. He ran for 627 yards and 3 TDs in just 11 games back in 2013. The problem is that he's not a good enough passer to be a viable NFL QB. Pryor sports a career 56.3% completion percentage with 9 TDs vs. 12 INTs. Kansas City's coaching staff will work with him this offseason, but he's a long shot to make any noise for the Chiefs. Perhaps they'll try to use him in a gadget role. QB Alex Smith is signed through 2018.

Chiefs QB Alex Smith has a lacerated spleen and will miss Sunday's game against the Chargers.  Smith practiced earlier this week but told the training staff that he didn't feel right.  That's when the spleen injury was discovered.  Smith's absence means that QB Chase Daniel starts the finale vs. San Diego for the 2nd straight year.  He was solid in this spot last season, throwing for 200 yards and a score and running for another 59 yards.  He's a smart, accurate and mobile QB -- not unlike Smith.  And at a minimum price on the DFS sites, he's an intriguing Week 17 play.

Chiefs QB Alex Smith (shoulder) is active for today’s game against the Jets. He put in a full week of practice, so the shoulder shouldn’t be an issue. Smith is an excellent Week 9 spot start vs. the league’s worst QB defense.

Chiefs QB Alex Smith (shoulder) is probable for Sunday's game against the Jets.  He never left last weekend's game and put in 3 full practices this week.  The shoulder isn't a concern.  Smith is a top-notch Week 9 streaming option against a Jets defense that's allowed 22 passing TDs with just 1 INT. 

Chiefs QB Alex Smith (shoulder) was listed as a full participant in Wednesday's practice.  He threw "effortlessly" in the portion open to the media, per insider Randy Covitz.  Smith sprained his throwing shoulder in last week's game against the Rams but never left and didn't seem inhibited.  He's a solid Week 9 spot-start option against the Jets' 32nd-ranked QB defense.