Thornton (concussion) is set to re-sign with the Chiefs, NFL reporter Jordan Schultz reports. It's a two-year, $11 million deal, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.

EDGE Analysis

After spending his first three seasons with New England, Thornton joined Kansas City ahead of the 2025 campaign and ended up posting career-best marks of 438 yards and three touchdowns on 19 receptions. He also contributed 475 kick-return yards on 18 opportunities. The speedy wideout gives KC a legitimate downfield threat, as he averaged 23.1 yards per catch last year. Thornton ended the season on IR due to a concussion, but there's no indication that the head injury will carry into offseason activities. He'll likely retain a depth wideout role in 2026, though he could move up in the pecking order depending on how else the Chiefs address their wideout corps during the offseason, as both Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster are unrestricted free agents.

The Chiefs placed Thornton (concussion) on injured reserve Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Thornton entered the league's concussion protocol following the Chiefs' Week 15 loss to the Chargers, which prevented him from playing against the Titans in Week 16. Since the Chiefs are eliminated from playoff contention, Thornton's placement on IR means he will not return in 2025 and not play in the Kansas City's last two regular-season games. The 2022 second-rounder signed a one-year contract with the Chiefs in February after being cut by the Patriots in November in 2024, and he finished his first year in Kansas City with a 19/438/3 receiving line (on 36 targets) while turning 18 kickoff returns into 475 yards (26.4 yards per return). With Thornton and Rashee Rice (concussion) both on IR, the Chiefs' wide receiver corps will be led by Xavier Worthy, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Hollywood Brown.

Head coach Andy Reid said that Thornton (concussion) won't take part in Tuesday's practice, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Thornton entered concussion protocol following the Chiefs' Week 15 loss to the Chargers and wasn't available for this past Sunday's loss to the Titans. The wide receiver still appears to be dealing with symptoms of the concussion and is looking unlikely to be available for Thursday's game against the Broncos.

Thornton (concussion) was listed as a DNP on Monday's estimated practice report.

EDGE Analysis

Both Thornton and fellow WR Rashee Rice have yet to log any on-field work since emerging from Week 15 action with concussions. As a result, it appears a stretch for either player to gain clearance from an independent neurologist ahead of Thursday's game against the Broncos. Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Nikko Remigio and Jalen Royals are the Chiefs' current healthy options at the position.

Thornton (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Titans.

EDGE Analysis

Rashee Rice and Thornton both remain in the concussion protocol and won't suit up Sunday after failing to practice in any capacity throughout the week. Thornton would need to log a full practice and receive clearance from an independent neurologist to have a chance to clear protocol before Thursday's game against the Broncos, so he looks like a long shot to play Week 17 as well. Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Nikko Remigio and Jalen Royals are the available options at wide receiver for Kansas City this weekend.

Thornton (concussion) will not practice Thursday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Thornton and top wideout Rashee Rice (concussion) have both kicked off Week 16 with back-to-back absences from practice, a scenario that could leave Gardner Minshew shorthanded for Sunday's game against the Titans. Prior to entering the concussion protocol during Kansas City's loss to the Chargers in Week 15, Thornton secured two of three targets for 47 yards.

Thornton (concussion) won't practice Wednesday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Thornton sustained a concussion in the Week 15 loss to the Chargers, so it's no surprise he won't practice Wednesday. The fourth-year pro has been one of Kansas City's most productive receivers this season, catching 19 of 36 targets for 438 yards and three touchdowns while also accumulating 475 kick-return yards. He must still clear the NFL's five-step concussion protocol in order to suit up for the Week 16 matchup against the Titans on Sunday.

Thornton (concussion) caught two of three targets for 47 yards before exiting the contest early in the fourth quarter due to a helmet-to-helmet hit during Sunday's 16-13 loss to the Chargers.

EDGE Analysis

Thornton played 31 of the Chiefs' 61 offensive snaps in the contest, behind Rashee Rice (52), Xavier Worthy (41) and Juju Smith-Schuster (32). With Hollywood Brown (personal) inactive, the 25-year-old Thornton saw a 51 percent snap share, his largest since Week 3. His increased role Sunday led to a bump in production, but fantasy managers should monitor his status in the concussion protocol leading up to the Kansas City's Week 16 matchup against the Titans. Even if he clears the protocol, the Baylor product would remain difficult to trust for significant fantasy production against Tennessee, especially with quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) done for the season.

Thornton is being evaluated for a possible concussion and is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Chargers.

EDGE Analysis

Thornton took a helmet-to-helmet hit from Tony Jefferson early in the fourth quarter, which resulted in the latter being ejected from Sunday's game. With Hollywood Brown (personal) inactive, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Nikko Remigio and Jalen Royals are all candidates to see more snaps on offense for as long as Thornton is out of the game.

Thornton logged two receptions (on three targets) for 19 yards during Sunday's 20-10 defeat versus Houston.

EDGE Analysis

Thornton continues to be part of the glob of wideouts who rotate in to occasionally spell or work alongside the primary duo of Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy, logging a 30 percent offensive snap share to sit just behind JuJu Smith-Schuster (38 percent) and Hollywood Brown (34 percent). There's little to like from the latter group in terms of fantasy, Thornton included, but Thornton should continue to mix into the offensive scheme as a deep threat, and there's always the possibility of a role expansion should injuries hit the top of the depth chart.