Running back Isiah Pacheco has not been spectacular for fantasy football managers so far in 2023. However, they are sweating the status of Pacheco heading into today. Pacheco has, like the rest of the Kansas City Chiefs‘ offense, performed under expected. However, with several injuries at the running back position, having a solid producer like Pacheco has become even more important to fantasy managers.
Let’s look at the latest news on Pacheco, whether he is likely to start in Week 3, and what his fantasy outlook will be against the Chicago Bears if he does play.
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Is Isiah Pacheco Going To Play Week 3?
Pacheco shocked fantasy managers when he didn’t practice on Wednesday. However, he was a limited participant in practice on Thursday and Friday. His official status for today’s game is questionable.
However, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN this morning, Pacheco “listed as questionable for Sunday due to a hamstring injury, is expected to play vs. the Bears, per source.”
Therefore, it appears likely Pacheco will be a go for today. However, what does that mean for his fantasy outlook?
What Does This Mean for Pacheco’s Fantasy Outlook?
While it looks like Pacheco will suit up today, does that mean fantasy managers should start him?
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Pacheco is currently in PPR the RB35. However, in the PFN Consensus Rankings this week, Pacheco is currently RB18. Pacheco hasn’t had the best of starts. However, he has faced two stout run defenses in the Detroit Lions and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
This week, he faces the Bears. The Bears are giving up 106 rushing yards per game so far this season. In Week 2, they managed to give up 120 yards to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are one of the worst rushing teams in the NFL.
Therefore, while Pacheco has not been remarkable so far this season, the signs are there that Week 3 should be a get-right game for him. Pacheco played 54% of snaps in Week 2, which was an increase on the 43% of snaps he played in Week 1.
He is also the only running back on the Chiefs to have carries inside the 10-yard line so far this season. Pacheco also saw an increase in touches in Week 2 with 14, compared to 12 in Week 1.
The game script is going to be a big factor in Pacheco’s outcome this week. If the Chiefs can get ahead early by a score or two — something they have failed to do so far this season — and get comfortable against the Bears, Pacheco’s workload and touches will increase in Week 3.
He is the clear No. 1 back on the team, dominating the percentage of snaps played compared to Jerick McKinnon and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. While Pacheco has been playing hurt most of the season, the coaching staff are still seeing him as the clear option in the running game.
Pacheco’s season will only improve once he shakes off this hamstring injury. And, hopefully for fantasy managers, Pacheco can kick-start this season with a big game versus the Bears. I will be playing Pacheco everywhere I have him rostered, and I hope fantasy managers do the same.