Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco has been on injured reserve since suffering a leg injury in Week 2. The Chiefs have been mum about a potential return to play for Pacheco, but head coach Andy Reid finally provided an encouraging update ahead of Week 9.
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, he 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 Pacheco 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. That would place his return around the Chiefs’ Week 11 game at the Buffalo Bills, arguably the team’s toughest game remaining.
Ahead of Kansas City’s Week 9 game vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Reid had some encouraging news about Pacheco’s progress.
Andy Reid on Isiah Pacheco's progress:
"He's getting there, but he's doing fantastic. He's really doing well. Between the trainers and doctors and all that, that's out of my hands there. But he's making great progress."
— Jordan Foote (@footenoted) October 31, 2024
Notably, Reid didn’t indicate when Pacheco would return to practice. That will activate a 21-day window during which the Chiefs must activate Pacheco or leave him on injured reserve for the rest of the season.
How Will Pacheco’s Absence Impact the Chiefs?
The Chiefs have essentially gone with a one-for-one replacement in Pacheco’s absence. Kareem Hunt has been a true workhorse since rejoining Kansas City in Week 4, averaging 21 carries per game, which ranks second in that span behind Kyren Williams (21.8).
Hunt hasn’t been very explosive, with only two of his 84 carries going for 10+ yards. Nevertheless, he’s compensated for that by staying on schedule, ranking 11th in success rate.
Pacheco’s return will add a more explosive element to the offense and give the Chiefs more margin for error. Kansas City has had trouble creating big plays all season, ranking 25th in percent of plays gaining 20+ yards (4.8%).
The lack of big plays have made it imperative for the Chiefs to stay on schedule and execute well situationally. Kansas City has the highest offensive success rate in the league (48%), including the second-best third-down conversion rate (51%).
But depending on third-down success is a volatile way to live, and the Chiefs have always been able to give themselves more breathing room.
Since Patrick Mahomes became a starter in 2018, Kansas City has never finished worse than 15th in explosive play rate (percentage of plays gaining 20+ yards). As recently as 2022, they led the league in that category.
Pacheco alone won’t fix that problem, as much of that stems from the Chiefs’ inability to generate big plays in the passing game. But any big-play explosiveness will be a welcome addition for the stretch room. It sounds like Pacheco will be ready to contribute there sooner rather than later.