The narrative at running back for the Kansas City Chiefs was all about survival in the first half of the season. With the loss of Isiah Pacheco after just two games to a major injury and the loss of Clyde Edwards-Helaire to start the year, the Chiefs were trying their best to get by with new faces and unproven players to start the year.
Now as the season's midsection is in play, the Chiefs are anticipating having a thriving and even overcrowded running backs room—a scenario that introduces new questions to address. That's because Pacheco is on his way back following several missed games.
Back in Week 2, the Chiefs walked away with an important conference win over the Cincinnati Bengals, but the cost was high as Pacheco left the game with a fractured fibula. Following the game, the team placed Pacheco on injured reserve, which guaranteed he would miss the following 4 games. He's already missed that many and then some to date, but the good news is that he's making good progress and his return is anticipated soon enough.
Head coach Andy Reid spoke to reporters following Chiefs practice on Thursday and updated the media on his progress. "He's getting there. But he's doing fantastic. I mean, he's really doing well, but we just, between the trainers and doctors and all of that, that's out of my hands there. But he's getting, he's making great progress."
Pacheco is now at seven weeks out since the injury and early timelines noted that he could return within 6-8 weeks, so the third-year back is still very much in that window.
If Pacheco needs longer to return, the Chiefs certainly wouldn't mind since the backfield is so crowded as it is. That's not to say he won't be welcomed back with open arms; rather, no one is feeling pressure to force him back into the lineup when Kareem Hunt, Samaje Perine, and Carson Steele are holding things down.
Pacheco has led the Chiefs in rushing in each of the last two seasons. The former seventh-round pick had 34 carries for 135 yards and 1 touchdown before he was injured earlier this season.