Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid delivered troubling news regarding star running back Isiah Pacheco, casting doubt on his return for the 2024 season. Pacheco, who sustained a broken fibula during the Chiefs’ recent victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, was initially given a six-to-eight-week recovery timeline. However, Reid’s latest update suggests that the young running back could potentially miss the remainder of the season.
“I can’t give you a time when he’ll return,” Reid told reporters. “We’ll just see if it’s this season or next season. We’ll see how he does as he goes here.”
While initial reports indicated no ligament damage was found, the outlook remains uncertain. The six-to-eight-week estimate would have Pacheco returning around Thanksgiving, but even that seems optimistic at this point. Pacheco had been a key figure in Kansas City’s offense this season, receiving the bulk of carries in both the Week 1 win over the Ravens and Week 2’s triumph over the Bengals before his fourth-quarter injury.
With Pacheco sidelined, the Chiefs are left scrambling to adjust their running back depth. Rookie Carson Steele and veteran Samaje Perine are expected to take on the primary workload in his absence. To bolster their backfield, Kansas City has also re-signed former standout Kareem Hunt. Hunt, who began his career with the Chiefs before being released in 2018 after a disturbing incident caught on video, is being given a second chance in Kansas City.
“We’ll get him in here and get some work,” Reid said of Hunt. “Try to get him in a position where he’s ready to play either this week, next week, or the following week.”
Hunt spent five seasons with the Cleveland Browns, and after receiving positive reports from Cleveland’s coaching staff, Reid expressed confidence in the running back’s maturity and readiness to contribute. “We felt okay bringing him back,” Reid noted. “He’s 29 years old now, and it looks like he’s grown up some.”
Meanwhile, backup Clyde Edwards-Helaire remains on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, dealing with personal issues related to PTSD, leaving his return uncertain as well.
As the Chiefs prepare for the remainder of the season, the loss of Pacheco is a significant blow to their offensive game plan. All eyes will be on the combination of Steele, Perine, and Hunt as they look to fill the void left by the dynamic running back.
