Chiefs designate RB Jerick McKinnon to return from IR

The Kansas City Chiefs might have additional help at the running back position heading into Super Bowl LVIII, having designated Jerick McKinnon to return per an NFL Network report on Saturday.

The 31-year-old third-down specialist provides quarterback Patrick Mahomes another weapon out of the backfield as Kansas City faces the San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas on Feb. 11.

In his third season with Kansas City, McKinnon had 21 carries for 60 yards and a touchdown in 12 games and caught four touchdown passes among his 25 receptions for 192 yards.

He was placed on injured reserve because of a groin injury suffered Week 15 against the New England Patriots and can be activated to the 53-man roster if the Chiefs believe he's ready.

Isiah Pacheco has stepped up and taken on more responsibility in McKinnon's absence, leading a Kansas City rushing attack that also includes Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

A 2014 third-round draft pick by the Minnesota Vikings, McKinnon has 2,650 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, to go along with 269 catches for 2,048 yards and 20 touchdowns for the Vikings (2014-17), 49ers (2020) and Chiefs.

- Field Level Media