Ranking KC Chiefs’ Return Game Options if Richie James Misses Week 3 vs. Chicago Bears

Assuming James can't go on Sunday, Kansas City will have multiple potential replacements in the fold.

UPDATE: James is officially listed as out for Sunday's game.

With wide receiver Richie James missing Kansas City Chiefs practice on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, it's becoming apparent that he likely won't be able to play on Sunday against the visiting Chicago Bears. The team isn't worried, however, as it has a multitude of replacement options for its primary kick and punt return roles for Week 3.

On Thursday, assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Dave Toub rattled off a four-man list of players, all wide receivers, that consisted of Justin Watson, Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore and Rashee Rice. Additionally, running back Isiah Pacheco was spotted working on his returns during the open portion of practice. Toub wouldn't name a particular starter should James miss this weekend's game, which raises a question.

Who should be the go-to return option(s) against the Bears? Let's rank five players. All statistics used are for the regular season only. 

Justin Watson

Career resume: Seven punt returns for 42 yards, two kickoff returns for 19 yards

When Watson originally signed with the Chiefs, many expected him to play a primary special teams role and not have much involvement in the offense. In the 2022 season, the exact opposite happened as the former Tampa Bay Buccaneer saw his special teams snap share come way down and his offensive snap share go way up. With James presumably on the shelf, perhaps it's time for a bit of balance in Watson's workload. This would also potentially open the door for another wide receiver to receive a handful of additional snaps should the Chiefs not want Watson to overexert himself. 

Kadarius Toney

Career resume: 11 punt returns for 61 yards, zero kickoff returns

Everyone should be familiar with two things: Toney's excellent punt return in Super Bowl LVII and his quick-twitch ability with the football in his hands. He's a downright electric player in all facets of the game, including special teams. With that said, the 2021 first-round pick is nursing a sprained toe and already isn't seeing the field a ton as Kansas City manages his snap count. He isn't out of the woods yet in regards to his own injury. Is piling on return duties on top of that a smart move? Likely not, although the ceiling of a Toney-led return game is substantial.  

Skyy Moore

Career resume: 14 punt returns for 86 yards, three kickoff returns for 50 yards

Moore was thrust into being the Chiefs' top punt returner early last season, and he had multiple instances where he lost track of the football. Despite him being open about not having the requisite amount of comfort in the return game, Kansas City relied on him late in the AFC Championship Game as a last-ditch effort and he rewarded the team for its faith. Moore provides more intrigue than Watson, but also a lot less reliability than Toney. 

Isiah Pacheco

Career resume: Zero punt returns, 29 kickoff returns for 597 yards

Pacheco returned to practice on Thursday as he nurses a hamstring injury. Because of that ailment alone, the Chiefs probably don't want to ask him to return kicks on top of being the team's leading running back. The Rutgers product isn't a factor in the punt return realm, but he may be the best or most suitable kickoff return option the team currently has. He's worth mentioning here as a short-term replacement for James, even if the Chiefs go elsewhere for help. 

Rashee Rice

Career resume: One kickoff return for 10 yards (in college)

Rice worked on returning kicks during the offseason program and has a bit of in-practice exposure to it since being drafted by the Chiefs, but he returned just a single kickoff in four years at SMU. Toub mentioned on Thursday how NFL experience is preferential, and Rice has none of it. The rookie wideout being back deep to field a punt or kickoff in an actual game would be a surprise.

Read More: Matt Nagy on Chiefs' Run-Pass Balance and Andy Reid's Gameplans