The Kansas City Chiefs are going to go forward a bit thinner in the backfield after learning on Monday that running back Isiah Pacheco suffered an MCL sprain in Week 8.
Pacheco originally hurt his leg in the second half of the Chiefs' win over the Washington Commanders on Monday Night Football. After the game, head coach Andy Reid acknowledged that Pacheco had hurt his knee during the game, but said that further information would clarify the picture.
NFL reporter Tom Pelissero has word that Pacheco is considered "week to week" for the Chiefs.
The Chiefs backfield is going to be very thin heading into Week 9 against Buffalo.
In terms of the schedule ahead for K.C., they face the Buffalo Bills on a short week, and it's hard to imagine any moves are forthcoming in time to help them in that Week 9 matchup. After that, the Chiefs arrive at their bye week and that should give the team time to evaluate the roster for the second half of the season.
Waiting in the wings, the Chiefs have Elijah Mitchell, who has been a healthy scratch all year, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who has been on the team's practice squad. Those player could vie for time alongside Kareem Hunt and Brashard Smith in the ground game.
Pacheco is in his contract year with the Chiefs after being selected in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft. A tremendous find for Kansas City, Pacheco led the team in rushing yards in his first two NFL season before hitting a wall last year due to injury. After coming back from a fibula injury, Pacheco struggled to regain his form and vowed to come back healthy and ready for another run in 2025.
Pacheco serves as the team's lead back at present and has 329 rushing yards this season on 72 carries. He also has 11 catches for 43 yards. He has 2,900 yards from scrimmage and 17 touchdowns in his career so far with the Chiefs.