Chargers injury could ruin Chiefs’ shot at a trade deadline steal

The NFL's trade deadline is always an exciting moment for fan bases of franchises who are expected to sell and buy. Losing teams will be anxious to get at least some long-term assets to use in a throw-away season, while winning teams will be searching for help at key positions to catapult them forward.

For the Kansas City Chiefs, the need for help at running back (or anywhere on offense, really) is crystal clear, which is why they're constantly mentioned in conjunction with any potential help in the backfield. But there might be a bit of unexpected competition from a close rival.

The Los Angeles Chargers watched running back Najee Harris go down with a non-contact injury on Sunday during the team's win over the Denver Broncos. Given their record of 3-0 and their position at the top of the AFC West, it makes sense for Jim Harbaugh's team to do everything possible to maintain their momentum and stave off their competitors.

General managers in the AFC West might be competing against one another at the trade deadline.

That points to the Chiefs in multiple ways, both as teams within the AFC West and as rosters in need of RB help. Harris has a torn Achilles tendon, which means the Chargers are likely to be shoppers on the market at this point.

Names like Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane, New York Jets running back Breece Hall, or even New Orleans Saints halfback Alvin Kamara have all been floated as potential names to watch on the trade block. There's. more than enough talent to go around, but if the Chiefs were hoping to be able to shop from desperate sellers, it now hurts their cause that there's another potential buyer in play.

For the Chiefs, the lackluster ground game exhibited on the season thus far has led to calls for help at the position. Fortunately, Isiah Pacheco had his best game of the short season so far on Sunday night in a win over the New York Giants. Kareem Hunt is around for short-yardage situations, but together, the lack of dynamism at the position has limited the offensive options around Patrick Mahomes.

The Chiefs might be willing to lean on Pacheco and hope that someone like Brashard Smith can provide a spark, but it makes more sense to look on the trade block for some assistance. But the Chargers should be doing the same, which means prices are likely to go up for K.C. or other franchises hoping to add something to the rushing attack.