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.
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
Pacheco fractured his fibula on this play. The Chiefs placed him on IR ahead of Week 3, where he has remained ever since.
When Will Pacheco Return From Injury?
After going on IR, Adam Schefter reported Pacheco was expected to be out for 6-8 weeks. Obviously, Pacheco has been eligible to return for several weeks now. However, we are now at the longer end of the projected timeline and Pacheco does not appear to be on the precipice of a return.
For nearly two months, we did not get a single meaningful update. Earlier this week, Andy Reid did offer this on Pacheco’s status.
Andy Reid said Isiah Pacheco is "doing fantastic," but that he's not ready to return to practice this week or likely next week.
Reid had a similar answer for Charles Omenihu.
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) October 31, 2024
On Sunday, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport had a more definitive update, suggesting that Pacheco would be back by “late November.”
From @NFLGameDay: The #Rams are expected to have WR Puka Nacua (knee) today despite an injury scare, while the #Chiefs eye a late-November return for Isiah Pacheco (broken fibula). pic.twitter.com/Mj3nVYQPtd
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 3, 2024
Typically, injured players get back on the field no sooner than the week after they are designated to return from IR. So, if Pacheco were designated to return ahead of Week 11, the earliest we should expect him back is Week 12. It could be even later than that.
How Has Pacheco’s Absence Impacted the Chiefs?
When Pacheco first went down, the Chiefs rolled with Carson Steele as their lead back and Samaje Perine in the passing-down role. That lasted all of one week before the recently signed Kareem Hunt got up to speed enough to get in games. He immediately took over as the clear lead back.
Hunt is still in a timeshare with Perine and Steele, but when he’s on the field, he touches the ball a lot. Hunt is averaging 21 carries per game and should continue to see heavy volume despite his inefficient 3.67 yards per carry.
Even amid all the injuries the Chiefs have dealt with, they still haven’t lost a game. This is due in large part to their elite defense and the wizardry of Patrick Mahomes, who, while not putting up the gaudy numbers we’ve come to expect, is doing what he needs to do when he needs to do it to ensure the Chiefs win.
If and when Pacheco does return, expect him to start in a timeshare with Hunt before moving back into his clear RB1 role. At this point in their respective careers, Pacheco is a vastly more talented player. It would not be the least bit surprising if Hunt transitioned into the passing-back role, relegating Perine to the bench.