Chiefs HC Andy Reid provides latest injury update on RB Isiah Pacheco heading into pivotal AFC West matchup vs. Broncos
Will RB Isiah Pacheco play against the Broncos in Week 11? Things don’t look too promising for the Chiefs’ starter on Wednesday.
The Kansas City Chiefs have completed the bye week and now turn their attention to an AFC West showdown with the division-leading Denver Broncos in Week 11. After a week of rest and recovery, the Chiefs are only dealing with one injury of note: RB Isiah Pacheco.
Just as he finally seemed to be regaining some of the explosion that was sapped from his 2024 leg injury, Pacheco took a big hit on the knee on a nine-yard carry in the fourth quarter against the Washington Commanders in Week 8. Further testing uncovered that he suffered an MCL sprain, which has a typical injury recovery timeline of 2-5 weeks.
CBS Sports sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson reported that Andy Reid expected Pacheco back after the bye week. Still, it appears he’s not quite ready to return to the practice field with the Broncos game on deck.
Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco won’t practice on Wednesday, status in question for Week 11
Despite reports suggesting that Pacheco would be good to go after the bye week, the fourth-year running back has yet to return to practice. Andy Reid confirmed to reporters that he’d be the only player missing from practice on Wednesday.
“As far as the injuries go, really the only one that won’t practice today is (Isiah) Pacheco,” Reid said. “Everyone else will go.”
This will mark the fourth practice Pacheco has missed since sustaining a knee injury late in the fourth quarter of the Week 8 game against the Washington Commanders. Typically, players need at least one limited practice to have a chance to play in a given game for Coach Reid. Ideally, he likes to get them a full participation practice. Pacheco is one of the unique cases, where he has multiple years in the system and is trusted by the quarterback and coaching staff. He could potentially be the type who could play with less work than other players.
Chiefs’ running back depth quick facts
- 53-Man Roster: Isiah Pacheco (injured)
- 53-Man Roster: Kareem Hunt
- 53-Man Roster: Brashard Smith
- 53-Man Roster: Elijah Mitchell
- Practice Squad: Clyde Edwards-Helaire (elevated in Week 9)
- Practice Squad: Carson Steele (FB)
If Pacheco doesn’t practice and play in Week 11, the big question will be whether they mimic Week 9’s plan against the Buffalo Bills and elevate Clyde Edwards-Helaire, or will they roll with 2025 free agent addition Elijah Mitchell as RB3. Mitchell has been a healthy scratch in every game so far during the 2025 NFL season. Expect Kareem Hunt and Brashard Smith to carry the bulk of the workload, no matter who is RB3 for Kansas City.
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