Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco has been on injured reserve since suffering a leg injury in Week 2 but is eligible to return beginning after this week’s game. When might the Chiefs’ RB1 be back?
What Is Isiah Pacheco’s Injury?
Pacheco was injured in the Chiefs’ Week 2 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. After getting his leg trapped, Pacheco limped off the field in the fourth quarter.
After the game, Pacheco left the stadium on crutches and a walking boot.
This appears to be the moment of injury for Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco. Andy Reid said Pacheco is undergoing tests. The back was seen leaving Arrowhead in a walking boot and crutches. pic.twitter.com/aPZpRe629X
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) September 16, 2024
It was later revealed that he had fractured his fibula and was placed on injured reserve prior to Kansas City’s Week 3 game.
How Long Will Pacheco Be Sidelined?
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Pacheco was expected to miss between six and eight weeks. His stint on injured reserve forced him to miss a minimum of five weeks because the Chiefs had their bye in Week 5 (rules state that a player must miss at least four games if they are designated to return off injured reserve).
Pacheco is eligible to return for the Chiefs’ Week 8 game at the Las Vegas Raiders, which would be six weeks removed from his injury. However, a return at some point in November feels more likely. To date, head coach Andy Reid has not given a specific timeline for a potential return to play.
On Wednesday, October 23, we got our first bit of information on Pacheco in a while. It wasn’t anything official, but encouraging nonetheless.
I also spotted RB Isiah Pacheco in the locker room, walking about freely. As they bring in WR DeAndre Hopkins, the #Chiefs are on the mend. https://t.co/f9rpDiZOTg
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) October 23, 2024
Of course, walking around without crutches or a limp does not automatically make a player capable of withstanding the rigors of a football game. But it’s definitely a positive sign.
Typically, when players are designated to return from IR, they return on the second or third week eligible.
Looking at the schedule, the Chiefs play on Monday Night Football in Week 9 vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before a home game in Week 10 vs. the Denver Broncos. That latter game could serve as a potential return date, as it would be eight weeks removed from the injury.
Furthermore, it would give Pacheco a full week between games, as he would be playing on short rest in Week 10 if he returned for the Week 9 MNF game.
Fantasy Outlook for Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt
After a one-week failed Carson Steele experiment, the Chiefs reunited with old friend Kareem Hunt ahead of their Week 4 game against the Los Angeles Chargers. It took Hunt exactly one game to establish himself as the clear lead back.
Despite looking very much washed when we last saw him, Hunt has been rejuvenated in his return to the team that drafted him. He’s been amassing incredible volume for a guy that was on his couch a month ago, averaging 21 carries per game. He is the latest in what has been the year of the old running back. At 29 years old, Hunt clearly still has some juice left in his legs.
If and when Pacheco does return, though, this job is still his. He won’t go back to his usual role right away, but expect Pacheco to ramp up over a couple of weeks to the RB1 role. It is unlikely that Hunt will remain a viable fantasy starter after Pacheco gets reacclimated to playing football.
Although Hunt currently leaves the field on passing downs, Reid has a very lengthy history of using a different passing down back than the starter. We could very well see Hunt operate in that role once Pacheco returns.
For now, fantasy managers can continue starting Hunt as a weekly high RB2. He will remain a staple in fantasy football lineups until Pacheco is back. After that, Hunt will revert to elite handcuff status.