In Week 13, Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco sustained a shoulder injury in the 27-19 loss to the Green Bay Packers. What is the latest on the star RB?
Isiah Pacheco Injury Update
The running back hurt his shoulder during the defeat to the Green Bay Packers last weekend. He seemed to be injured during the game but continued to play before he was removed for punching a Packers player with less than a minute remaining.
MORE: Kansas City Chiefs Depth Chart
Before the ejection, he gave an excellent performance all around, as he had 18 rushes for 110 yards and a score against the Packers. He’s now scored three times over the past two weeks, while his 110 rushing yards were the third-most of his career.
Pacheco leads the Chiefs and is fifth in the NFL in rushing with 779 yards. He also has 33 receptions and seven total touchdowns.
Pacheco did not practice all week because of his shoulder injury, and the Chiefs ruled him out on their final practice report of the week.
The Chiefs have Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon as veteran backups at running back. Edwards-Helaire, the Chiefs’ first-round draft pick in 2020, lost his starting spot to Pacheco last season and has not played much in 2023, rushing for 140 yards and a touchdown.
“[Edwards-Helaire] is going to be ready, no doubt,” McKinnon said. “Everybody in that room is ready. When called upon, he knows what this moment means for him. So, I’m 100 percent, 200 percent confident, and he’s going to go out there and do his thing. He’s prepped for it. He’s looked good, and the opportunities he’s had this year … he stayed focused and stays resilient and showing off. I expect nothing less on Sunday.”
McKinnon missed the past two games because of a groin injury but will be available against the Bills. Mainly used in passing situations, McKinnon has caught 19 passes with three touchdowns.
On Thursday afternoon, offensive coordinator Matt Nagy spoke on the team’s running back depth.
“I think it’s one of those mentalities — we always say it’s the cliche, ‘next man up,’ if it goes that direction,” Nagy said. “I think that room has done a good job — that’s one of the things, building depth in that room. When you have that, it’s always nice to have.
“Pops has been phenomenal for us all year. He brings that energy, that physicality and [is] really starting to become that leader as well. The other guys in that room have done a really good job all year long of just starting to complete that room, joining him and doing all the stuff we ask. It’s got to be the next man up mentality.”
In addition to Pacheco, the team also ruled out linebacker Drue Tranquill, defensive back Bryan Cook and offensive tackle Donovan Smith for Sunday’s game.
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