The morning after the Kansas City Chiefs’ Week 2 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on September 15, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter provided an injury update on KC running back Isiah Pacheco.
“Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco is expected to land on injured reserve with the fibula injury he suffered Sunday vs. the Bengals, meaning he will miss a minimum of four weeks and quite possibly longer, per sources. He is undergoing additional testing today to determine the full damage,” Schefter posted initially.
Continuing: “Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco underwent X-rays last night and will undergo an MRI today to determine if there is a fracture and or ligament damage to his ankle. But they are preparing for him to land on injured reserve.”
Around the same time, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport also reported that Pacheco “fractured his fibula.” But did add that this assessment was based on initial testing, confirming that “more tests” will occur on September 16.
Rapoport suggested a potential four-to-eight-week timeline while relaying the update.
Kansas City has already lost star wide receiver Hollywood Brown to the injured reserve for the remainder of the 2024 regular season, per Schefter and ESPN. Now their star running back will likely join him for at least four weeks as this offense continues to lose playmakers to injuries.
Chiefs Beat Reporter & KC Doctor Break Down Isiah Pacheco Injury Update: Surgery Would ‘Likely End’ Season
Arrowhead Pride beat reporter Pete Sweeney reacted to the breaking news from Schefter and Rapoport on September 16, along with a key note from Arrowhead Pride staff doctor Dakota Watson within his article.
“The timeline for Pacheco’s return to play can vary depending on the location of the injury,” the medical practitioner said. “The nature of the injury also makes a high ankle sprain possible. Further testing will determine Pacheco’s prognosis.”
Finally, Watson concluded by warning that “if surgery is warranted, then this will likely end [Pacheco’s] season.”
Sweeney predicted that undrafted rookie Carson Steele will be the “first man up” after the Pacheco injury — so long as KC doesn’t acquire a bigger name — with veteran Samaje Perine working in on third downs and pass-catching situations.
He also reminded that the Chiefs could call up either Keaontay Ingram or Emani Bailey from the practice squad for depth. While pointing out that two-time Super Bowl champion and veteran RB Jerick McKinnon is still available in free agency as well.
Assuming he’s willing to return, McKinnon does not profile as a lead-back but does make sense as another third-down option for the Chiefs with built-in knowledge of the offense and prior chemistry with Patrick Mahomes. The free agent turned 32 years old in May.
Chiefs Beat Reporter Refutes Insider Report on Isiah Pacheco
Shortly after the updates from Schefter and Rapoport on September 16, Chiefs Digest beat reporter Matt Derrick offered up some new information that is slightly different from the insiders, but not necessarily better.
“The fracture is in his ankle, I’m told,” Derrick relayed. “The Chiefs haven’t put a timeline on Pacheco’s return. Normally the return from a similar injury is around 12 weeks.”
Based on these updates, there is a chance that Pacheco could return for the back half of the season and a potential playoff run, similar to Brown. Of course, that’s assuming surgery is not needed.
The severity of Pacheco’s injury could be determined as soon as later this afternoon on Monday, September 16.
