Pacheco ran the ball five times for 18 yards and caught his only target for no gain in Saturday's 23-14 playoff win over the Texans. Pacheco was unable to get anything going on the ground early against Houston's defensive front, opening the door for veteran Kareem Hunt (8-44-1) to lead Kansas City's backfield in production. The 25-year-old Pacheco was dealing with a rib injury that cost him the last game of the regular season, but he did not carry an injury designation heading into Saturday's tilt. Both of the Chiefs' running backs figure to be involved in next Sunday's AFC Championship Game, but Pacheco's star has lost its luster following Hunt's superior performance against the Texans.
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Status
ACTIVELatest Isiah Pacheco news
Other Chiefs Players
Team
Kansas City Chiefs
Birthdate
3/2/1999 (25)
Status
Active
HT/WT
5'10", 216 lbs
Draft Info
2022: Rd 7; Pk (KC)
Birthplace
Vineland, NJ, USA
Position
RB
College
Rutgers
Experience
3 seasons
Career History
Kansas City Chiefs
2022-Present
(3 seasons)
Pacheco ran the ball five times for 18 yards and caught his only target for no gain in Saturday's 23-14 playoff win over the Texans. Pacheco was unable to get anything going on the ground early against Houston's defensive front, opening the door for veteran Kareem Hunt (8-44-1) to lead Kansas City's backfield in production. The 25-year-old Pacheco was dealing with a rib injury that cost him the last game of the regular season, but he did not carry an injury designation heading into Saturday's tilt. Both of the Chiefs' running backs figure to be involved in next Sunday's AFC Championship Game, but Pacheco's star has lost its luster following Hunt's superior performance against the Texans.
Pacheco (rib) was a full participant in Tuesday's practice. Pacheco emerged from the Chiefs' Dec. 25 win over the Steelers with a rib injury, though head coach Andy Reid mostly downplayed any concern about the issue shortly after that game. The running back ended up sitting out the Chiefs' Week 18 loss to the Broncos, though he was likely inactive mostly as a precaution since Kansas City had already clinched the AFC's No. 1 seed and had little to gain by exposing him to further injury in the regular-season finale. After sitting out Week 18 and benefiting from the Chiefs' first-round playoff bye, Pacheco's ability to practice in full suggests he'll be ready to go for Saturday's postseason opener versus the Texans. Pacheco played less than half of the Chiefs' offensive snaps in each of his five appearances since being activated from injured reserve in Week 13 following an extended absence due to a fractured right fibula, so he could once again find himself in a timeshare out of the backfield with Kareem Hunt in the divisional-round matchup.
Pacheco (ribs) participated in practice Friday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports. The Chiefs earned a first-round playoff bye, so the team won't play again until Jan. 18 or 19, but Pacheco's presence for Friday's session bodes well for his chances of returning to action in the divisional round. Added context on that front will arrive next week, once the team posts its next official practice/injury report.
Pacheco (ribs) has been ruled out for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Broncos. With the Chiefs having clinched the AFC's No. 1 playoff seed, they'll play it safe with Pacheco with an eye toward having him healthy for the team's divisional-round contest. Meanwhile, fellow RB Kareem Hunt (not injury-related) is among the team's key players listed as doubtful for Sunday's contest and on track to be rested in Week 18. In that context, Samaje Perine and Carson Steele are available to handle backfield reps versus Denver, with Keaontay Ingram being a potential practice-squad elevation.
Pacheco (ribs) isn't practicing Wednesday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports. Pacheco is dealing with a rib injury that he suffered in last Wednesday's Christmas Day win over Pittsburgh. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid stated Monday that Pacheco is expected to be ready for the team's first playoff game while also indicating that the RB will be "held back" in practice this week. Kansas City is almost certain to rest many starters for its Week 18 battle against the Broncos, and Pacheco is a near lock to be among those who won't suit up. The Chiefs have the luxury of playing their backups Sunday having already wrapped up the No. 1 AFC playoff seed and clinching a first-round bye.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Monday that Pacheco (ribs) will "be available playoff-wise" but will be held back in practice this week, Charles Goldman of AtoZSports.com reports. Pacheco hurt his ribs in Wednesday's Christmas Day win over Pittsburgh, and it would be a major surprise if he suits up in Week 18 versus Denver with Kansas City already having locked up the No. 1 playoff seed in the AFC. The positive news on Pacheco is that he appears to be in no danger of missing any time in the postseason, and he'll have an extra week to recover from what Reid described as "tender" ribs with the Chiefs penciled in for a first-round bye. Kansas City may opt to rest starters beyond Pacheco on Sunday against the Broncos, and it wouldn't be surprising if the team gives Kareem Hunt the day off as well, which would put Samaje Perine and Carson Steele in position to lead the backfield in the regular-season finale.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said after Wednesday's 29-10 win at Pittsburgh that Pacheco "dinged his ribs," and the team will "see how bad they are" in the coming days, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports. Pacheco couldn't get much going in the Christmas Day matchup, turning six carries into 18 yards before leaving in the fourth quarter. Fellow running backs Kareem Hunt (nine carries for 20 yards and one touchdown) and Samaje Perine (four touches for 29 total yards) also found the sledding tough against the Steelers defense, but both players could experience an uptick in usage if Pacheco has to sit out Week 18 at Denver. Considering the Chiefs locked up the No. 1 seed in the AFC with Wednesday's victory, the team likely won't risk the health of one of their key contributors and instead focus on getting Pacheco healthy for the divisional round.
Pacheco was forced out of Wednesday's game against the Steelers due to a rib injury. Prior to exiting the game, Pacheco carried six times for 18 yards. In Pacheco's absence, Kareem Hunt will likely operate as Kansas City's lead back, with Samaje Perine and Carson Steele on hand as depth options.
Pacheco had nine carries for 26 yards while catching one of two targets for minus-1 yard in Saturday's 27-19 win over the Texans. Pacheco got the majority of touches in Kansas City's backfield early on but didn't find much success, so Kareem Hunt got more involved as the game went along. Hunt was far more effective, producing 79 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 11 carries and three targets. Pacheco's still searching for his first score since Week 1, though a fractured fibula suffered in Week 2 has limited him to only six appearances this season. Hunt and Pacheco will likely continue to split carries against the Steelers on Christmas.