The Kansas City Chiefs will be without running back Isiah Pacheco for a chunk of the season.
Initial tests show Pacheco fractured his fibula in Sunday’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Monday, per sources informed of the situation.
The bulldozing running back is set to have surgery this week with the plan of returning this season, Rapoport added. Pacheco is expected to miss at least six weeks, with the timeframe determined by the surgery.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid confirmed later Monday that Pacheco fractured his right fibula and declined to speculate on a timeline for return.
“It’s going to take a little bit of time,” Reid said.
Pacheco limped off the field in the fourth quarter and exited the stadium in a walking boot and crutches. The RB led the Chiefs with 90 yards on 19 rush attempts on Sunday and added five catches for 21 yards.
The typical recovery timeline for a fractured fibula is anywhere between four to eight weeks, depending on the severity, so the Chiefs will likely be without Pacheco for at least the next month, if not longer.
Pacheco’s injury comes after the Chiefs already lost Hollywood Brown for the foreseeable future. Clyde Edwards-Helaire is also on the reserve/non-football illness list.
The next question is how Reid fills the void. The club signed Samaje Perine, who has played mostly a pass-catching role. Undrafted rookie Carson Steele took the late between-the-tackles runs on Sunday and could see a more prominent early down role.
Reid told reporters on Monday that the current plan is to “go with the guys we have now,” but added that general manager Brett Veach could look to add a veteran.
The Chiefs are, in fact, hosting a familiar face, Kareem Hunt, on Tuesday, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported, per sources. Hunt, 29, spent his first two seasons with the Chiefs — leading the league with 1,327 rushing yards in 2017, his rookie season — before playing the last five years with the Browns. K.C. could also bring back Jerick McKinnon, a free agent, to help fill the void.
None of the options will bring the same ferocity and energy that Pacheco adds to the Patrick Mahomes-led offense.
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