This offseason presented a shift in how the Kansas City Chiefs have typically handled their backfield. Brett Veach decided to make it a priority this spring, signing reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker and former Cardinals running back Emari Demercado while also drafting Emmett Johnson to give the Chiefs' rushing attack some much-needed oomph.
Meanwhile, Kansas City opted not to re-sign Isiah Pacheco, their former seventh-round star who helped them win two Super Bowls. Pacheco linked up with the Detroit Lions instead, signing a one-year "prove it" deal. It felt like a decent fit for Pacheco, as he wouldn't be tasked with being the guy in Detroit's backfield and would have a chance to play for an explosive offense.
The big reason the Chiefs moved on from Pacheco was his recent injury history, and unfortunately for him, those issues have followed him to the Motor City. Earlier this month, Pacheco suffered an MCL sprain, which has kept him off the practice field.
Sadly, Pacheco is now dealing with another injury. This time, it's a back injury that's flared up for the former seventh-round pick. Lions head coach Dan Campbell talked about the injury on Thursday.
"It's been a little touch and go right now. He's had a little bit of back (injury)", Campbell said while speaking to the media. "We're hoping he's coming out of this as of yesterday a little bit."
Isiah Pacheco's injury history is becoming impossible to ignore
Clearly the Lions are concerned about Pacheco's availability for the start of the season, as they recently signed Trayveon Williams to add to their running back room. Former Chief Kareem Hunt also visited the Lions. The Lions probably aren't making those moves or having guys come in for visits if they feel confident in Pacheco's health.
This is all such a bummer to watch unfold, as Pacheco looked to be quite the rising star early on in his career. The Chiefs landed him in the seventh round of the successful 2022 draft and he played a massive role in helping K.C. win the Super Bowl that season. He had 960 scrimmage yards and five total touchdowns during the regular season his rookie year.
Unfortunately, the injuries started rearing their ugly head in Pacheco's sophomore season. He missed two games with a shoulder injury in 2023, missed over half the season in 2024 with a fractured fibula, and missed several games in 2025 with an MCL sprain. The injuries, paired with Pacheco's regression, made moving on from him an easy decision for the Chiefs.
The fibula fracture can be pointed to as what truly changed things for Pacheco. He simply was not the same player after suffering that injury and it showed on a weekly basis. It was sad to witness but, ultimately, the Chiefs had to do what was best for them and move in a different direction. The run game was laughably bad in 2024 and 2025 and that's exactly why Veach had to focus his attention on improving it this offseason.
Chiefs are all too familiar with Isiah Pacheco's injury woes
Chiefs fans still appreciate Pacheco and definitely didn't want to see his Lions career start like this. Maybe he heals up and becomes more of a factor for them but, right now, the arrow is not pointing up.
Brad Berreman of SideLion Report, FanSided's Lions site, echoed that sentiment. He seemed concerned for Pacheco's future in Detroit.
"Maybe the knee and back issues are nothing to be overly concerned with, and Pacheco will be fully ready to be the "Thunder" to Gibbs' "Lightning" when the season starts. But a second now-known injury this month is not ideal, especially given the question marks that otherwise exist behind Gibbs on the Lions running back depth chart."
This is certainly worrisome for the Lions. Hopefully, Pacheco bounces back and can contribute for his new team but the back injury is not something to take lightly whatsoever.
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