DARWIN THOMPSON NEWS

Chiefs continue to rely on rookies and second-year pros

The biggest downside to success in the NFL may come each April, when the team that wins the Super Bowl also wins the rather dispiriting opportunity to pick last in each round of th...

NOVEMBER 19, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

No offensive snaps against Panthers Thompson played zero offensive snaps and 12 special-teams snaps during Sunday's 33-31 win against Carolina.

Impact The usually strong Kansas City ground attack managed only 30 team rushing yards against the Panthers, with Clyde Edwards-Helaire (five carries) and Le'Veon Bell (four carries) being the only running backs involved. Darrel Williams did not have a rushing role, but he did post one catch in the contest at least, relegating Thompson to the No. 4 spot in the KC backfield at the moment.

NOVEMBER 11, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Gets in on action late Thompson tallied four carries for three yards and failed to haul in his lone target Sunday versus the Jets.

Impact Thompson at least saw the field this week after being labeled inactive for Week 7. However, all of his reps came on the last drive with the contest well in hand, so there is little to glean from his effort Sunday other than he's a depth option should either Clyde Edwards-Helaire or Le'Veon Bell miss time.

NOVEMBER 3, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Bell fits seamlessly in Chiefs' offense in rout of Broncos

There was never a question that Brett Veach, one of the most aggressive general managers in the NFL, would pursue two-time All-Pro running back Le’Veon Bell to join the Kansas City...

OCTOBER 26, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Not suiting up Week 7 Thompson (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Broncos, Adam Teicher of ESPN.com reports.

Impact The 23-year-old had three carries for 17 yards last week as he saw his first offensive snaps since Week 3. Newcomer Le'Veon Bell is active for his Chiefs debut, pushing Thompson to the list of inactives.

OCTOBER 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Several Raiders active against Bucs after time on COVID list

Las Vegas starting offensive linemen Kolton Miller, Denzelle Good, Rodney Hudson and Gabe Jackson are active for the Raiders against Tampa Bay after spending time on the COVID-19 l...

OCTOBER 25, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Three totes in Week 6 Thompson ran just three times for 17 yards in Monday's win over the Bills.

Impact Thompson only took the field for three total snaps, so he's already behind the eight ball in terms of playing time. With Le'Veon Bell set to join the mix as soon as Week 7, there's even less upside to Thompson's prospects moving forward.

OCTOBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Chiefs' locker room mum on Bell's arrival - well, almost

The only member of the Kansas City Chiefs that was available and willing to discuss LeVeon Bell happened to be defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who won’t have much of anythin...

OCTOBER 16, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Chiefs sign Le'Veon Bell 2 days after release from Jets

The Kansas City Chiefs have signed running back Le’Veon Bell two days after he was released by the New York Jets

OCTOBER 16, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Out of game plan against Raiders Thompson did not garner a single offensive snap during Sunday's 40-32 loss to Las Vegas.

Impact That makes two consecutive outings Thompson has gone without an offensive snap, and three games on the season in which the 24-year-old back has been without a carry. So far in limited action, Thompson has offered a much improved 5.3 yards-per-carry average after logging 3.5 YPC as a rookie, but he's been afforded just 1.2 rush attempts per game compared to more than three per game in 2019. Thompson will remain a depth option next Monday night when the Chiefs face Buffalo's top-10 rush defense.

OCTOBER 13, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

DeAndre Washington’s promotion raises questions about Darwin Thompson The Chiefs' promotion of DeAndre Washington raises questions about Darwin Thompson. On Thursday, the Kansas City Chiefs decided to swap play...

OCTOBER 9, 2020 • ARROWHEADADDICT.COM

No offensive snaps in Week 4 Thompson didn't take the field on offense during Monday's win over the Patriots.

Impact Thompson hasn't seen more than a 19 percent offensive snap share in any of the first four games, but a fumble last week on just six offensive snaps certainly did the second-year back no favors. He's firmly behind Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Darrel Williams in the pecking order for backfield touches, and that shouldn't change as long as the two ahead of him are healthy and available.

OCTOBER 6, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Loses fumbles during MNF win Thompson registered 11 rushing yards on two carries and lost a fumble during Monday's 34-20 win over the Ravens. He was also targeted twice in the passing game but recorded no rece...

Impact Thompson coughed up the ball on Kansas City's opening possession of the second half, enabling Baltimore to establish a brief stretch of momentum by collecting a field goal and a touchdown on consecutive drives. The second-year back did not register another offensive touch the rest of the way, as Darrel Williams took over sole No. 2 RB duties behind Clyde Edwards-Helaire and fielded two carries for six yards while also recording a five-yard catch. Edwards-Helaire paced the backfield on the night with 20 carries, but the pecking order behind the rookie is unclear heading into a Week 4 matchup against the Patriots' 19th-ranked rush defense.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Chuck Clark jars ball from Darwin Thompson for critical Ravens turnover Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jaylon Ferguson recovers a forced fumble caused by safety Chuck Clark.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2020 • NFL.COM

Second in backfield snaps Thompson rushed four times for 21 yards and failed to haul in his lone target Sunday versus the Chargers.

Impact Thompson's added work came following Darrel Williams' departure due to an ankle issue, and he made the most of them, averaging 5.25 yards per carry. While the showing doesn't align him with major work in the future, Thompson could continue to slot in as the backup to Clyde Edwards-Helaire if Williams were to miss additional action.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Limited to special teams Thompson did not take the field on offense during the opener versus the Texans.

Impact A sixth-round pick by the Chiefs last season, Thompson managed to hold on to a roster spot behind Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Darrel Williams possibly due, in part, to his familiarity with the playbook. Regardless, he seems to be the clear No. 3 in the rotation and will presumably be limited to special teams as long as the other two are healthy.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Learning to practice crucial under Chiefs coach Andy Reid

There are formations, personnel groups and even verbiage to learn when you report to training camp under Chiefs coach Andy Reid

AUGUST 20, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fantasy RB Sleepers Darwin Thompson, Ryquell Armstead, Joshua Kelley -- these running backs may not be top targets in fantasy football drafts, but by the end of...

AUGUST 19, 2020 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Fantasy Football RB Sleepers: Rookies, handcuffs among potential breakout running backs You can never have enough running backs, and that's as true as ever in 2020. We highlight 16 potential fantasy RB sleepers, from rookies lik...

AUGUST 11, 2020 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Chiefs' fortunate offseason helps with COVID-19 opt outs

The Kansas City Chiefs have had two players opt out of the upcoming season because of COVID-19 concerns in running back Damien Williams and guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif

AUGUST 4, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Chiefs Preview Capsule

Chiefs Preview Capsule

AUGUST 26, 2019

Chiefs rookie RB Darwin Thompson pushing for playing time

Chiefs rookie RB Darwin Thompson pushing for playing time

AUGUST 24, 2019

Chiefs rookie RB Darwin Thompson emerging as a sixth-round steal

The Kansas City Chiefs have built considerable depth at running back with the addition of rookie Darwin Thompson.

AUGUST 20, 2019

Mahomes' wise slide in preseason opener demonstrates growth, maturity

When Patrick Mahomes slid safely just short of the goal line Sunday, he showed the wisdom of having a year of experience under his MVP belt.

AUGUST 12, 2019

Mahomes shows maturity, growth in Chiefs' preseason opener

Patrick Mahomes lit the league on fire last season, but the Chiefs quarterback showed in their preseason opener that he's grown even more

AUGUST 12, 2019