53 Anthony Hitchens ILB

Hitchens finished 2019 with 88 tackles (51 solo), two sacks and a forced fumble during the 2019 season.

The Chiefs' coaching staff made a successful attempt to limit Hitchens' defensive snaps to keep him healthy, sitting him for 239 more snaps than he rested during 2018. Hitchens did miss one game in the middle of the season due to a groin issue, but the seventh-year linebacker was able to stay on the field for most of 2019. Unfortunately, the reduced snap count also detracted from his fantasy value as an IDP linebacker. It seems unlikely that the staff would opt to increase his volume again next year, so it may be best to view his value near what it was in 2019.

Hitchens racked up a team-best and season-high 10 tackles (two solo) Monday against the Chargers.

Hitchens has seen a major drop in his fantasy value with the move from middle linebacker to outside linebacker during the offseason. Averaging just 6.1 tackles per contest and having not recorded an interception this season, Hitchens likely remains off the fantasy radar in most formats until he can prove Monday's effort wasn't a one-time display.

Hitchens had six tackles (five solo), two sacks and a forced fumble in Thursday's 30-6 win over the Broncos.

Hitchens missed last week's loss to the Texans but returned in resounding fashion Thursday to record his first sacks since 2016. The 27-year-old has 33 tackles (24 solo) in six games.

Hitchens (groin) was a full practice participant Tuesday, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.

Hitchens was inactive Sunday and began the week as a limited participant due to the groin issue, but should be good to go for Thursday's game at Denver. The 27-year-old has 27 tackles (19 solo) through five games.

Hitchens (groin) was listed as a limited participant in Monday's practice estimate.

Hitchens was limited for every practice last week but ended up watching from the sidelines during this past Sunday's 31-24 loss to the Texans. He'll need get on the field in some capacity if/when the Chiefs host actual practices Tuesday and Wednesday in order to have a chance at playing Thursday against the Broncos.

Hitchens (groin) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Texans, BJ Kissel of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Hitchens was limited in practice all week due to a groin issue, and he's not yet ready to retake the field. Darron Lee stands to see increased opportunities at weakside linebacker as long as Hitchens can't go.

Hitchens (groin) is officially questionable for Sunday's matchup with Houston.

Hitchens has been able to put in a trio of limited practices this week after picking up the groin injury in last week's loss to the Colts.

Hitchens (groin) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Hitchens suffered this groin injury during this past Sunday's game versus the Colts, and he's still dealing with the effects. It's a positive sign that he's still able to practice in some capacity. The Chiefs hope he can elevate to a full participant by Friday, or else he'll likely carry a questionable tag into Sunday's game versus the Texans.

Hitchens (groin) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Colts.

Hitchens' next chance to get back in there will be against the Texans in Week 6.

Hitchens is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Colts due to a groin injury.

Hitchens' tackling ability will be missed by a defense that's had trouble stopping the run and is contending with a run-heavy Indianapolis offense.

Hitchens played just 68 snaps (82 percent) in Sunday's game against the Lions, recording eight tackles (six solo).

The coaching staff is reportedly limiting Hitchens' snaps this season to keep him healthy for all of 2019. That didn't stop him from racking up eight tackles in Week 3, but he has yet to reach double digits after doing so four times in the first six games last year. The tackle totals may not pile up as much as last year, but he still produces enough to warrant fantasy ownership in some leagues.

The Chiefs intend to manage Hitchens' weekly snaps in order to keep him healthy for the entire season, Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.

Hitchens played 50 snaps (77 percent) on defense Week 2 after playing every defensive snap Week 1, and it's possible that he could see a lessened workload going forward. The 27-year-old played a career-high 945 regular-season snaps during the 2018 season, so it makes sense that the Chiefs are attempting to keep him fresh and avoid injuries. Hitchens stands to remain a valuable IDP option even if his usage declines, though his chances of finishing in the top five in tackles, which he did last season, will be slim if he's taken off the field often.

Hitchens completed 2018 with 135 tackles (81 solo) over 15 games during 2018.

Although Hitchens didn't do much else of note for fantasy purposes, he finished fifth in the NFL in tackles thanks to a move from Dallas to Kansas City last offseason, boosting him onto the fantasy radar. Set for the second year of a five-year deal with the Chiefs in 2019, Hitchens should sit near the top of IDP options again next season and could top his output from 2018 if he can stay on the field for all 16 games.

Hitchens racked up 12 tackles (five solo) during Sunday's 38-31 loss to the Seahawks.

Hitchens logged his second straight game with double-digit tackles, and he performed admirably against Seattle's run-heavy offense. The 26-year-old has been a valuable IDP asset this season, with 126 tackles through 14 games.

Hitchens had 11 tackles (five solo) in Thursday's 29-28 loss to the Chargers.

Hitchens has produced well throughout the season, yet Thursday was the first time he reached double-digit tackles since Week 6 at New England. The 26-year-old has 114 total tackles and a forced fumble through 13 games and has a matchup against the run-heavy Seahawks on tap in Week 16.

Hitchens notched 10 tackles (five solo) during Sunday's Week 13 matchup with the Raiders.

Hitchens exited the game for a bit with a quad injury, but that didn't prevent from reaching double digits in tackles for the fifth time this season. Barring an injury, the fifth-year linebacker is a lock to reach triple-digit tackles for the first time in his career, making him a valuable IDP option in many formats. He needs just four Sunday against the Ravens to reach triple digits, a total he has surpassed in all but two of the games he's played in this season.

Hitchens (quad) was able to return to the field for the Chiefs on Sunday, BJ Kissel of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Hitchens was questionable to return after suffering a quad injury in the first half of Sunday's game. Now that he's back, expect Hitchens to assume his normal role as one of the starting linebackers for Kansas City.

Hitchens (quad) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Hitchens suffered the quad injury in the second quarter of Sunday's game, and his status is currently up in the air. As long as Hitchens is sidelined, Dorian O'Daniel could see increased snaps in his stead.

Hitchens (ribs) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Hitchens sat out a Week 10 win over the Cardinals due to a ribs injury, but he appears to have fully recovered. Barring any setbacks, expect Hitchens to return to his usual starting role during Monday's game against the Rams.

Hitchens was active but didn't play in Sunday's game against Arizona, Brooke Pryor of The Kansas City Star reports.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said that Hitchens was only active so that he could play in an emergency situation. Hitchens had been questionable with a rib injury entering Sunday's game, and it seems he's not back to 100 percent quite yet. For the time being he's expected to play against the Rams in Week 11, Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports. Look for Dorian O'Daniel or Ben Niemann to see some extra snaps if Hitchens is limited next week.