Chiefs' Isiah Pacheco: Cleared for Thanksgiving Day
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Head coach Andy Reid confirmed Tuesday that Pacheco (knee) will play in the Chiefs' Thanksgiving Day game in Dallas, Nate Taylor of ESPN.com reports.
Pacheco has been sidelined for the past four weeks and has missed three games while recovering from an MCL sprain, but he's in the clear to return to the lineup after being listed as a full participant on Kansas City's first two Week 13 practice reports. The 26-year-old had played at least 50 percent of the Chiefs' offensive snaps in seven of his first eight appearances prior to getting hurt, but he may have to settle for a lesser role upon his return, at least initially. Kareem Hunt filled in acceptably as Kansas City's lead back over the past three games with three rushing touchdowns to go with 247 yards from scrimmage on 59 touches, and he could end up handling the brunt of the work again Thursday if the Chiefs want to ease Pacheco back in from the knee injury.
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Chiefs' Isiah Pacheco: Hopeful for Week 13 return
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Pacheco (knee) is optimistic that he'll be able to play Thursday against the Cowboys, though the Chiefs have yet to make a final decision regarding his status, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Pacheco has been sidelined since Week 8 with a sprained MCL but returned to practice ahead of Kansas City's Week 12 matchup against the Colts. He logged an additional estimated full practice Monday, which seemingly sets him up to return on Thanksgiving afternoon against the Cowboys. However, a short week complicates his outlook a bit. Even if he is active, Pacheco would likely still be in a split backfield with Kareem Hunt, who has operated as the primary back in Pacheco's absence.
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Chiefs' Isiah Pacheco: Logs full listing Monday
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Pacheco (knee) was listed as full on Monday's estimated injury report.
The Chiefs didn't hold a practice in the wake of Sunday's overtime win against the Colts, but Pacheco began this week as he did last week with a full listing. He proceeded to be a limited practice participant Thursday and Friday before coach Andy Reid ruled Pacheco out for Week 12 action. How Pacheco is listed Tuesday and Wednesday likely will determine whether Kansas City gives him a chance to play Thursday at Dallas. If he's able to suit up, he may be doing so with the brace that he's been wearing to protect his right knee, and his eventual workload could be limited considering Kareem Hunt has taken on the vast majority of RB reps during Pacheco's current three-game absence.
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Chiefs' Isiah Pacheco: Ruled out for Week 12
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Coach Andy Reid ruled out Pacheco (knee) for Sunday's game against the Colts, Jesse Newell of The Athletic reports.
Pacheco has been sidelined since Week 8 due to a sprained MCL, but he was able to practice fully Wednesday and log a limited session Thursday, marking the first notable progress in his recovery. Reid also told Charles Goldman of AtoZSports.com that Pacheco didn't have a setback, and his return to practice this week was "literally to see where he's at." Pacheco thus will turn his focus to a Thanksgiving Day game at Dallas, while Kareem Hunt will continue to lead the Chiefs backfield this weekend.
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Chiefs' Isiah Pacheco: Limited practice Thursday
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Pacheco (knee) was limited at practice Thursday.
After being listed as a full participant Wednesday, Pacheco -- who is still sporting a bulky brace on his right knee -- per Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com, was deemed limited a day later. With that in mind, it's possible the running back's downgrade in participation level was indicative of load management rather than a setback, with Friday's final injury report slated to add further context with regard to Pacheco's chances of returning from a two-game absence Sunday against the Colts.
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Chiefs' Isiah Pacheco: Full participant in practice
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Pacheco (knee) was a full participant Wednesday in his return to practice.
He thus appears ready to return for Sunday's matchup with Indianapolis after missing the past two games due to a knee sprain. Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports that Pacheco had a large brace over his right leg/knee during Wednesday's practice, but it apparently didn't stop the running back from being a full participant. Kareem Hunt and Brashard Smith still figure to have roles, with Pacheco typically limited to fewer than 15 touches even when he's starting and working as the lead runner.
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Chiefs' Isiah Pacheco: Returning to practice
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Pacheco (knee) is slated to practice Wednesday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.
Pacheco last saw game action in Week 8, but the running back's looming return to practice has him trending in the right direction as Sunday's game against the Colts approaches. The Chiefs' upcoming practice report will clarify Pacheco's official participation level Wednesday after he missed six consecutive sessions dating back to Week 9.
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Chiefs' Isiah Pacheco: Ruled out by Chiefs
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Pacheco (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Broncos.
With Pacheco, who last saw game action Week 8, still sidelined, Kareem Hunt is poised to continue to lead the Chiefs backfield this weekend, while Brashard Smith, Elijah Mitchell and potential practice-squad elevation Clyde Edwards-Helaire available to mix in. Pacheco's next chance to see game action will occur Sunday, Nov. 23 against the Colts. While filling in for Pacheco in a Week 9 loss to the Bills (prior to Kansas City's bye), Hunt carried 11 times for 49 yards and a touchdown while catching one of two targets for six yards. In that contest, Smith logged three carries for seven yards, and Edwards-Helaire rushed twice for five yards.
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Chiefs' Isiah Pacheco: Doesn't practice Thursday
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Pacheco (knee) remained a non-participant at practice Thursday.
Pacheco is still hampered by the knee injury that kept him out of action in Week 9 against the Bills. Kansas City was previously optimistic that a Week 10 bye would provide sufficient time for Pacheco to heal, but he's trending toward remaining sidelined Sunday against the Broncos, in which case Kareem Hunt would likely retain the lead role in Kansas City's backfield. Pacheco would probably need to practice in some capacity Friday to have any chance of playing Sunday.
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Chiefs' Isiah Pacheco: Still not practicing
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Pacheco (knee) won't practice Wednesday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.
It's not a great sign that Pacheco -- who was inactive in Week 9 -- will miss the Chiefs' first practice coming off a bye, but the running back will have two more chances to return to work before injury designations are posted for Sunday's game against the Broncos. In his absence during the Chiefs' 28-21 loss to the Bills on Nov. 2, Kareem Hunt paced Kansas City's backfield with 11 carries for 49 yards and a TD, adding one catch for six yards, with Brashard Smith (three carries) and Clyde Edwards-Helaire (two carries) mixing in.
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Chiefs' Isiah Pacheco: Should be back Week 11
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Pacheco (knee), who is out for Sunday's game against the Bills, should be back after the Chiefs' Week 10 bye, Tracy Wolfson of CBS Sports reports.
Per Wolfson, coach Andy Reid indicated that Pacheco avoided a serious injury, which gives the running back a chance to return to action Nov. 16 against the Broncos. In his absence Sunday, Kareem Hunt, Brashard Smith and Clyde Edwards-Helaire are expected to carry Kansas City's backfield load, with Elijah Mitchell a candidate to be active versus Buffalo as well.
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Chiefs' Isiah Pacheco: Still not practicing
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Pacheco (knee) won't practice Thursday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.
With consecutive DNPs on Wednesday and Thursday due to an MCL sprain in his right knee, Pacheco is trending in the wrong direction ahead of Sunday's game against the Bills, and it's possible that he'll be ruled out as soon as Friday. If Pacheco is unavailable this weekend, Kareem Hunt would be in line for more carries Week 9, per ESPN.com, with Brashard Smith and Elijah Mitchell backing him up.
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Chiefs' Isiah Pacheco: Dealing with MCL sprain
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Pacheco is considered week-to-week due to a right MCL sprain that he suffered during Monday's 28-7 win against the Commanders, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
The injury undoubtedly stems from a hit to the side of his right knee that he took in the fourth quarter. Pacheco still ended up pacing the team in rushing yards (58), which was a season-high marks for the fourth-year pro. Assuming he does miss time, Kareem Hunt is lined up to lead Kansas City's backfield, while rookie Brashard Smith and potentially Elijah Mitchell are candidates for increased roles in the offense.
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Chiefs' Isiah Pacheco: Leading rusher on 12 attempts
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Pacheco rushed 12 times for 58 yards and was not targeted in Monday's 28-7 win over Washington.
Pacheco finished as the Chiefs' leading rusher a week after scoring his first touchdown of the season. His 58 rushing yards also represented a new high-water mark through eight appearances, which also highlights his capped production as part of a backfield committee. Teammate Kareem Hunt still finished with the superior fantasy score after cashing in a pair of touchdowns in the lopsided win. Pacheco did absorb a hard shot to his right knee late in the contest, but he was seen moving freely on the sidelines after being checked out by the medical staff. Fantasy managers will want to monitor the rotation piece's status during the practice week ahead of a potential shootout against the Bills in Week 9.
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Chiefs' Isiah Pacheco: RBs to Sit
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Pacheco had a season-high 12 carries in Week 6 against Detroit, but he managed to score just 6.1 PPR points. He had one catch for no yards on three targets, and he scored 8.6 PPR points or less in all but one game this season. The Raiders have allowed seven rushing touchdowns this season to running backs, which is tied for third in the NFL, but that will likely benefit Kareem Hunt more than Pacheco, who has yet to score on the ground. And only two running backs have rushed for more than 40 yards against Las Vegas, which were Jeremy McNichols in Week 3 and Jonathan Taylor in Week 5. Pacheco is at best a flex option in deeper leagues in Week 7.
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Chiefs' Isiah Pacheco: Leading rusher on 12 carries
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Pacheco gained 51 yards on 12 carries while catching one of three targets for no gain in Sunday's 30-17 win over Detroit.
Pacheco finished Sunday's win as the Chiefs' leading rusher, garnering six more touches than veteran backup Kareem Hunt (6-23-0). The 26-year-old Pacheco had been mired in an even timeshare for most of the season, so Sunday's disparity in touches could be something to monitor moving forward. Pacheco would need that hypothetical increase in usage in order to develop into a reliable starting option in fantasy. Until then, treat the physical runner as nothing more than a flex option against the Raiders next Sunday.
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Chiefs' Isiah Pacheco: Gains 56 yards on 10 touches
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Pacheco carried the ball seven times for 36 yards while adding three receptions for 20 yards in Monday's 31-28 loss to the Jaguars.
Pacheco excelled on a per-carry basis (5.1 YPC) while garnering the most targets out of the backfield for Kansas City on Monday. That's where the good news ends, as fellow RB Kareem Hunt found the end zone twice on his seven rushing attempts in the loss. Pacheco's fantasy value continues to be doused by the presence of his veteran teammate in an even timeshare, a scenario that should continue repeating itself against the Lions on Sunday.
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Chiefs' Isiah Pacheco: First score of 2025
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Pacheco rushed the ball seven times for 35 yards in Sunday's 37-20 win over the Ravens. He added two receptions on three targets for eight yards and a touchdown.
Kareem Hunt saw more volume in the game with 14 touches, though he averaged an abysmal 2.6 yards per attempt and played 32 snaps on offense to Pacheco's 27. Pacheco was more efficient, logging a long run of 12 yards while also finding the end zone for the first time in 2025 with an eight-yard touchdown catch late in the second quarter. Pacheco will be difficult to trust so long as he's splitting opportunities with Hunt, but he's showcased improved efficiency and volume in the last two games.
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Chiefs' Isiah Pacheco: Big gain on only touch Friday
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Pacheco had one reception for 22 yards and did not record a rushing attempt in Friday's 33-16 preseason loss to the Seahawks.
Pacheco came out with the first-team offense and was limited to just one touch for the second consecutive preseason tilt. The 26-year-old has little to prove heading into the regular season, but he still fought for 22 yards on his only target Friday. If he suits up, expect Pacheco to be limited once again in Kansas City's final exhibition contest against Chicago next Friday.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Thursday that Pacheco "looks tremendous" at OTAs and has "put on some good weight," Charles Goldman of AtoZSports.com reports.
Pacheco missed Week 3 through Week 12 last season due to a broken fibula and looked like a shadow of his usual self when back in action, averaging just 3.4 YPC across Kansas City's five remaining regular season games and three playoff contests. When healthy Pacheco is an explosive, physical ball carrier capable of overrunning would-be tacklers, as demonstrated by his 4.9 YPC and 4.6 YPC averages in 2022 and 2023. An offseason to return to full form should securely position Pacheco atop the Chiefs' running back depth chart, especially in the wake of the team's decision to forego early-round additions to the position in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Chiefs re-signed Kareem Hunt and added Elijah Mitchell in free agency, both to one-year deals, and added Brashard Smith in the seventh-round of April's draft, but all three backs seem more likely to push for complementary snaps than an actual committee if Pacheco can indeed return to 100 percent strength.
