Ten weeks after he was forced to leave the field, Isiah Pacheco is set to return to it.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport has word that the Kansas City Chiefs are expecting Pacheco, their lead running back, to return to the active roster in time for Week 12. The Chiefs will visit the Carolina Panthers that weekend.
The Chiefs will finally have Isiah Pacheco back starting in Week 12, per reports.
With a short week following the #Panthers game, it’s a coaching decision for whether Pacheco plays. But he’ll be ready. https://t.co/3IW3LhzKMN
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 17, 2024
The Chiefs have been without Pacheco for the last 9 games after watching him suffer a broken fibula in the team's early-season win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
The team was expected to take a step back in the running game without Pacheco at the same time that Clyde Edwards-Helaire was on the team's non-football injury (NFI) list, but savvy moves made to bolster the roster have kept the offense moving the chains. In particular, a reunion with Kareem Hunt has made a significant different and Samaje Perine has been a welcome addition as a pass catcher.
The Chiefs have also leaned on an unexpected contributor this season at times in rookie free agent Carson Steele, who signed with the team following this year's draft out of UCLA.
Pacheco will return to the Chiefs as their leading rusher over the last two seasons. The former seventh-round pick out of Rutgers has been a true find ever since was drafted in 2022. Pacheco led the Chiefs last season with 205 carries for 935 yards and 7 scores.
So far this season, Pacheco has 34 carries for 145 yards and 1 touchdown.