Latest injury update on Kansas City Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco’s knee puts his status for Week 9 vs. Buffalo Bills in question

Bad injury news for the Kansas City Chiefs ahead of Week 9 vs. the Buffalo Bills.

Charles Goldman — NFL Managing Editor
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The Kansas City Chiefs didn’t get the news they hoped for about one player’s injury following the Week 8 win over the Washington Commanders.

Andy Reid confirmed after the game that running back Isiah Pacheco was being evaluated for a knee injury. He left the game with about four minutes left in the fourth quarter after taking a big hit to his leg on a nine-yard carry. Reid gave his typical postgame, “We’ll see.”

Now we know the injury is at least slightly more serious than initially realized. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Pacheco suffered an MCL sprain that will keep him week-to-week.

This comes at the worst possible time for Pacheco, who averaged 4.8 yards per carry in the Week 8 win. He was just getting back to himself after his injury last season, and now it appears he’ll have another lower-body injury to overcome.

“Pop is getting into a groove,” Chiefs HC Andy Reid said of Pacheco after the game.

The Chiefs’ running back situation isn’t looking too great with the trade deadline approaching

With Pacheco potentially missing time, it feels like running back might be back on the table for Kansas City at the trade deadline. New York Jets RB Breece Hall is the prize if it does wind up going that route. On the flip side, this should allow rookie RB Brashard Smith to get a little more involved in the game plan, though Reid has detailed his current limitations. It should also lead to Elijah Mitchell being active for the first time this season.

Chiefs 2025 running back roster facts

  • 53-Man Roster: Isiah Pacheco (injured)
  • 53-Man Roster: Kareem Hunt
  • 53-Man Roster: Brashard Smith
  • 53-Man Roster: Elijah Mitchell
  • Practice Squad: Carson Steele (FB)
  • Practice Squad: Clyde Edwards-Helaire

The Chiefs’ options on the practice squad don’t exactly inspire a lot of confidence. However, if Pacheco misses a few games, Carson Steele is probably the player most closely matching his skill set.

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