The Kansas City Chiefs are hopeful they’ll soon have star running back Isiah Pacheco back in action.
Pacheco, who has been out for the past six weeks with a fractured fibula, is aiming to return to the field by the end of November. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, he could be back at practice within the next two to three weeks.
Pacheco’s injury required surgery, and he was placed on injured reserve back in mid-September. Initial reports suggested he’d be out for at least six weeks, and now that window has passed, the Chiefs are patiently awaiting his return. However, they’re not in a rush to bring him back before he’s fully ready.
Remarkably, the Chiefs have held strong without their lead rusher from the past two seasons. The team has been undefeated so far this season, and they’re gearing up for a big Monday night matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, aiming for their eighth straight win. In Pacheco’s absence, Kansas City has relied on a capable group of runners to keep the ground game going.
Leading the charge has been in-season acquisition Kareem Hunt. Since joining the Chiefs right after Pacheco’s injury, Hunt has racked up 308 rushing yards and four touchdowns across four games. His workload has been impressive, with 84 carries since Week 4, placing him among the league’s busiest backs over that span. Hunt is also on a roll, currently in the middle of a three-game streak with 20+ carries, 50+ yards, and at least one rushing touchdown.
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Complementing Hunt’s efforts have been Carson Steele, who’s contributed 113 rushing yards, and Samaje Perine with 45 yards, along with the ever-versatile Patrick Mahomes, who has chipped in with over 100 yards on the ground himself. The depth they’ve built has been key to maintaining their offensive balance without Pacheco.
Once Pacheco is back, we’ll likely see Steele and Perine return to more limited roles, giving the Chiefs what could be their most formidable backfield since the days of Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones. Adding to that depth, the Chiefs also recently brought in veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who fills in for the injured Rashee Rice and Marquise Brown.
A late November return would mean Pacheco might be available just in time for Kansas City’s Week 12 game against the Carolina Panthers on November 24, or possibly the following week’s Black Friday showdown with the Raiders. Either way, his return will be a boost for the team as they look to make a strong push in the season’s closing weeks.
With Pacheco’s powerful running style back in the mix, the Chiefs will be even better equipped for their pursuit of a third consecutive Super Bowl title. His combination of speed and physicality adds an extra dimension to their offense that could be critical for those tough, end-of-season matchups.
Pacheco’s return also means the Chiefs will have more options in the red zone and in short-yardage situations. His presence should help lighten the load on Mahomes, who’s been carrying the offense both through the air and on the ground this season.
If things go as planned, Chiefs fans could be in for an exciting Thanksgiving weekend, with Pacheco’s anticipated comeback marking a pivotal moment in Kansas City’s season. For now, they’ll continue to rely on Hunt and the supporting cast, knowing their lead back is close to making his return.
