The Kansas City Chiefs offense lost a vital piece after the team's Week 2 win over the Cincinnati Bengals

Isiah Pacheco suffered an ankle injury and initial tests were not good. It was then reported that he would be sidelined for 6-8 weeks, and the Chiefs placed him on injured reserve. 

"He's been put on IR," Chiefs HC Andy Reid said. "He's having surgery today. I can't give you a time when he'll return. We'll just see if it's this season or next season. We'll see how he does as he goes here." 

So basically, there is no saying he will even return this year. 

Behind Pacheco on the depth chart is Carson Steele and Samaje Perine, but the team made some additional moves. Keaontay Ingram was elevated to the 53-man roster, while RB Kareem Hunt was signed to the practice squad.

Speaking with the media on Wednesday, Steele provided some important insight into how the team is going to handle the run game going forward. 

"Just like I was saying before, the next man up mentality. Everybody's going to get some reps at running back too," Steele explained. "Kareem came in as well. So really going to mix it all around and make sure the team's successful."

So for anyone hoping to pick up one of the Chiefs other running backs in fantasy to replace Pacheco, it seems there isn't one who is going to be the primary ball carrier. Instead, it's going to be a group effort. 

Ingram signed with Kansas City's practice squad during the 2023 season, and remained with the team all throughout training camp this past summer. However, as part of final roster cuts, he was waived and re-signed to the practice squad. 

Andy Reid spoke about what Ingram brings to the team. 

"He had a really good camp for us," Reid said. "Felt comfortable with him moving up. We expect him to be ready to play. I think he's done that. He's been working hard on the scout team part of it. Stayed in tune with the offense. He's in all the meetings. He's ready for it." 

And along with that, Mahomes expressed a lot of confidence in the running back room, explaining that they've got a lot of guys who can step up in Pacheco's absence. 

The running backswill get their first opportunity without Pacheco on Sunday night against the Atlanta Falcons.