The Detroit Lions will open the regular season without one of their biggest offseason additions.
Detroit announced on September 1 that running back Isiah Pacheco has been placed on Reserve/Injured, taking him out of the equation for the Lions’ September 13 opener against the New Orleans Saints. The team also signed veteran tight end Tyler Conklin to the active roster while adding guard Elijah Klein and wide receiver Dominic Lovett to the practice squad.
The Pacheco decision represents a significant change from where Detroit thought things stood only a few weeks ago. Pacheco had been recovering from an MCL sprain, and head coach Dan Campbell initially indicated he expected the veteran running back to be available when the regular season began.
A subsequent back issue complicated that timetable. Campbell said on August 27 that Pacheco’s knee was no longer his primary concern, but acknowledged his recovery had been “a little bit of a back” and declined to give a definitive return date.
Now there is at least some clarity, and it means a longer absence than Detroit initially anticipated.
Isiah Pacheco Set to Miss at Least 4 Lions Games
Because Pacheco was moved to injured reserve after Detroit established its initial 53-man roster, he can return later this season. NFL rules, however, require players placed on IR in that situation to miss at least four games before they are eligible to be activated.
That means Pacheco is set to miss Detroit’s first four matchups: home games against the Saints and New York Jets, plus road dates with the Buffalo Bills and Carolina Panthers. The earliest he could potentially return is Detroit’s Week 5 game at the Arizona Cardinals on October 11.
That is a much different outlook than the one Campbell offered earlier in August, when the Lions believed the running back would be ready for Week 1.
Pacheco joined Detroit in March on a one-year, $1.81 million deal after four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. He rushed for 2,537 yards and 14 touchdowns during his Chiefs tenure and was part of two Super Bowl championship teams.
The Lions signed him after trading David Montgomery to the Houston Texans, with Pacheco expected to become the primary veteran complement to star running back Jahmyr Gibbs.
Lions’ Running Back Depth Gets Tested Behind Jahmyr Gibbs
Detroit had already prepared for the possibility that Pacheco might not be available immediately.
The Lions kept five running backs on their initial 53-man roster: Gibbs, Pacheco, Sione Vaki, Jacob Saylors and Jabari Small. Team reporter Tim Twentyman specifically pointed to the uncertainty surrounding Pacheco’s knee and back when explaining why Detroit entered the season unusually deep at the position.
Gibbs remains the centerpiece of the backfield. Detroit entered camp planning to expand his workload following Montgomery’s departure, while Pacheco was expected to provide an experienced, physical change of pace. The Lions described Gibbs as their bell-cow option during their preseason running back preview, with Pacheco and Vaki behind him.
Pacheco’s absence now makes that depth much more important.
Vaki received extensive first-team work while Pacheco was unavailable during camp, according to the Lions, giving him experience alongside the starting offense before the games begin to count. Saylors and Small also give Detroit additional options if the coaching staff wants to avoid simply transferring Pacheco’s entire workload to Gibbs.
The Lions have some time to settle those roles. Detroit does not host New Orleans until September 13, but there is no longer any question about whether Pacheco can make it back for the opener.
His first Lions regular-season appearance will have to wait.
Detroit Lions Make Isiah Pacheco Decision Before Saints Game