Despite the Kansas City Chiefs’ run of dominance over the past half-dozen years, there is always one bump in the road you can count on with uncanny regularity.

Patrick Mahomes’ ankle injury.

Like clockwork, Mahomes was knocked out of last week’s victory over Cleveland, and he’s considered iffy for the Chiefs’ Saturday night game against AFC South champion Houston.

With this being the second week of the fantasy playoffs, Mahomes mavens have quite the quandary: Do I bank on No. 15 this week, even though he might be diminished or sidelined? Or do I take a flyer on someone else.

Who could you grab in your moment of desperation? Here is our list of guys you should grab on waivers in case you need them this weekend.

Michael Penix Jr. (Falcons): You like this? The benching of Kirk Cousins came much earlier than anyone expected. So now the collegiate star will get his first start with all of Atlanta’s offensive weapons. And this week’s foe, the Giants, really suck.

Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Atlanta Falcons looks on prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Oct. 03, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Mac Jones (Jaguars): The former first-round pick’s revival will continue against Las Vegas. He completed 31 of 46 for 294 yards and two touchdowns last week against the Jets, who are a bit superior defensively than the Raiders.

Mac Jones #10 of the Jacksonville Jaguars throws a pass against the New York Jets during the third quarter at EverBank Stadium on Dec. 15, 2024 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

Bryce Young (Panthers): The former No. 1 pick has eight touchdown passes and two TD runs since taking over after Andy Dalton’s literal car crash. Young is averaging nearly 250 yards per game over the past month and could match that against Arizona.

Bryce Young #9 of the Carolina Panthers scores a rushing touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium on Dec. 15, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Cooper Rush (Cowboys): Why are the Cowboys suddenly so competitive? This guy, who has averaged 210 yards passing and two touchdowns in the far-too-late Dallas revival. He could have a big day in what looks like a shootout against the Buccaneers.

Jaycee Horn #8 of the Carolina Panthers pressures Cooper Rush #10 of the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium on Dec. 15, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Carson Wentz (Chiefs): Just to play it safe, Mahomes mavens should at the very least pick up his backup. Wentz won’t show any of his MVP form of 2017, but he can be expected to do a passable job with the Chiefs’ array of pass-catching options.

Carson Wentz #11 of the Kansas City Chiefs is tackled by Jordan Hicks #58 of the Cleveland Browns in the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Field on Dec. 15, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Sitting stars

Baltimore RB Derrick Henry has slowed down after his record-challenging start, and he will have more tough going against the Steelers. … Houston RB Joe Mixon will be kept in check by the Chiefs’ top-shelf rushing defense. … Mahomes’ possible absence could mean deflated numbers this week for wideouts Xavier Worthy and DeAndre Hopkins. … Miami’s Tyreek Hill will catch only more flak against San Francisco. … Same goes for Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa. … Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson will continue to be only a third or fourth option in Seattle. .. And Pittsburgh quarterback Russell Wilson will start to look his age against the Ravens.

Brian Burns #0 of the New York Giants tackles Derrick Henry #22 of the Baltimore Ravens during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 15, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Matchup game

Humiliated Colts RB Jonathan Taylor will rebound for his faux pas against Tennessee. … Detroit RB Jahmyr Gibbs will be very busy in Chicago now that David Montgomery is sidelined. … Jets WR Davante Adams will continue his late-season renaissance against the Rams. … Same for Tampa Bay WR Mike Evans vs. Dallas. … Rams WR Cooper Kupp will regain some of his market share from Puka Nacua against the Jets. … Jaguars rookie wideout Brian Thomas will roam free against Las Vegas. … We’re betting Arizona tight end Trey McBride finally gets his first touchdown against Carolina. … And two QBs who will post great numbers this week are Cincy’s Joe Burrow vs. the Browns and Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield vs. Dallas.

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Injury watch

Mahomes isn’t the only ailing standout. Week 15 went on without Seattle RB Kenneth Walker III and Steelers and WR George Pickens, and their status is still in some doubt for Week 16. The questionables at this point include Saints RB Alvin Kamara, Raiders RB Sincere McCormick, quarterbacks Justin Herbert of the Chargers and Geno Smith of the Seahawks, and five pass catchers (Miami’s Jaylen Waddle, the Chargers’ Quentin Johnston, Cleveland’s Cedric Tillman and David Njoku, and Washington tight end Zach Ertz).

Kenneth Walker III #9 of the Seattle Seahawks tries to break a tackle by Quincy Williams #56 of the New York Jets in the third quarter of a game at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 01, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Deepest sleeper

Jacksonville tight end Brenton Strange wasted no time taking over after Evan Engram was sidelined for the rest of the season. He made 11 catches for 73 yards as he became, at least for now, a favorite target of Mac Jones. And the former Nittany Lion is up against the supple Las Vegas defense this week.

Brenton Strange #85 of the Jacksonville Jaguars attempts to stiff arm Ivan Pace Jr. #0 of the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter at EverBank Stadium on Nov. 10, 2024 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

The early picks

Broncos at Chargers (-2½):
Pick: Chargers by 3

Texans at Chiefs (+1½):
Pick: Chiefs by 3

Steelers at Ravens (-5½):
Pick: Ravens by 3

Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the ball for a first down during the second quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 15, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

You can hear Kevin Cusick on Wednesdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on Twitter — @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.

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