Isiah Pacheco Faces Potential IR Stint After Ankle Injury \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco is likely to be placed on injured reserve after suffering a right ankle injury in the final moments of Sunday’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Coach Andy Reid confirmed that Pacheco will miss at least this week’s game, with further tests underway. The Chiefs, already dealing with running back depth issues, may need to explore roster moves to compensate for Pacheco’s absence.
“Isiah Pacheco’s Injury” Quick Look
- Injury details: Pacheco injured his right ankle during the Chiefs’ win against the Bengals.
- Medical evaluation: Pacheco underwent X-rays and is scheduled for an MRI to assess the severity.
- Chiefs’ running back depth: With Clyde Edwards-Helaire on the non-football illness list, the Chiefs have limited options in the backfield.
- Replacement options: Kansas City may elevate practice squad players or explore other teams’ practice squads for reinforcements.
- Coach’s comments: Andy Reid expressed hope but acknowledged Pacheco’s absence could extend beyond this week.
Deep Look
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco is likely to be placed on injured reserve following a right ankle injury sustained late in Sunday’s dramatic 26-25 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, a source with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press. Pacheco, a key contributor in the Chiefs’ back-to-back Super Bowl championships, is undergoing further medical testing, including an MRI, to determine the full extent of the injury.
The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the team is not yet ready to release the official results as the Chiefs continue their assessment. Pacheco had X-rays done on Sunday night, and while early reports suggest the injury is serious, the Chiefs are waiting for a final diagnosis before making any roster moves.
Injury and Immediate Impact
Pacheco’s injury occurred on the first play of Kansas City’s final offensive drive when he ran into the line and appeared to roll his ankle. Moments later, the Chiefs sealed the win with a 51-yard field goal by Harrison Butker. Pacheco was later seen leaving Arrowhead Stadium in a walking boot and on crutches, an indication that his recovery could take longer than a week.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid addressed the situation in a conference call Monday, saying, “I don’t have a timeframe on Pacheco, but I know it won’t be this week, and he’ll probably be out longer than that.” This suggests Pacheco is likely to miss several weeks, making an injured reserve stint a strong possibility.
Pacheco had been off to a solid start this season, rushing for 45 yards and a touchdown in the Chiefs’ opener against Baltimore, and putting up 90 rushing yards and a score before leaving Sunday’s game. His presence has been a key factor in the Chiefs’ offense, and his absence will leave a significant gap in the backfield.
Chiefs’ Depth Issues at Running Back
The timing of Pacheco’s injury adds to the Chiefs’ already precarious situation at running back. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, another key player, is on the non-football illness list and must miss at least two more games before becoming eligible to return. Edwards-Helaire’s potential Week 5 return could offer some relief, but the team must navigate two critical games in the meantime.
Rookie Carson Steele, who had seven carries for 24 yards against the Bengals, and Samaje Perine, signed just days before the game, are the only remaining active running backs on the roster. Steele struggled during the game, including losing a fumble, while Perine saw limited action, playing only nine snaps.
In addition to Steele and Perine, the Chiefs have two running backs on their practice squad—Keaontay Ingram and Emani Bailey—who could potentially be elevated to the active roster. Another option for Kansas City is to look at other teams’ practice squads for available players. Deneric Prince, who was with the Chiefs during training camp, is currently on the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad and could be a viable candidate to rejoin the team.
“We will go with the guys that we have here now,” Reid said. “But (general manager Brett) Veach is going through his lists and looking at people, and we’ll just see where that goes. But we’re blessed to have some good people here.”
Pacheco’s Emotional Response
Reid also shared how devastated Pacheco was after the injury, as he’s known for his passion and love for the game. “I talked to him twice last night, and I think he’s in a better place than he was,” Reid said. “Here’s a guy that loves to play the game. He had tears. He was emotional. But you don’t ever want to lose that. It’s an emotional sport, and that kid—nobody likes to play more than he does.”
Pacheco’s emotional reaction is understandable, given his enthusiasm for the sport and the pivotal role he has played in the Chiefs’ success over the last few seasons. His absence will be felt, not only in terms of on-field performance but also in team morale.
Moving Forward
As Pacheco faces time off to recover, the Chiefs will need to adjust their offensive strategy and fill the void in the backfield. With the running back depth already thin, Kansas City will likely rely heavily on its remaining options while potentially exploring external reinforcements.
The Chiefs’ situation is further complicated by the upcoming schedule, which includes challenging matchups that will test the team’s resilience. The coaching staff is working to find solutions as they await more definitive news on Pacheco’s injury and the timeline for his recovery.
While it remains uncertain how long Pacheco will be sidelined, the Chiefs are preparing for his absence and weighing all their options to maintain their high-powered offense. In the short term, the team will need to make decisions about roster adjustments to ensure they have sufficient depth at running back for the coming weeks.
