The Detroit Lions are 1-0 in the 2026 NFL season after their dramatic overtime victory over the New Orleans Saints, and they now turn their attention to their impending Thursday night matchup against the Buffalo Bills for Week 2.
However, the latest news that head coach Dan Campbell delivered on a key part of their offensive attack is nothing short of a major setback.
Campbell confirmed that running back Isiah Pacheco, who has been on the Injured Reserve list, recently underwent surgery and will not be available to the Lions any time soon.
According to Lions beat writer Nolan Bianchi, Campbell said Pacheco will miss “significant” time.
“Lions coach Dan Campbell says RB Isiah Pacheco (back) had surgery,” Bianchi reported on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Said he’s going to be out “a significant amount of time.”
The Detroit Lions Have Confirmed That Isiah Pacheco Will Miss “Significant” Time After Surgery
On Monday, the Lions confirmed that running back Isiah Pacheco isn’t going to be available any time soon following surgery.
“It’s gonna be a while. It’s gonna be a while. I really can’t — it’ll be a significant amount of time,” Campbell said of Pacheco’s recovery.
This is especially concerning given his injury history. Pacheco suffered a fractured fibula in his right leg during Week 2 against the Bengals in the 2024 NFL campaign, and also suffered an MCL sprain this past season.
Now, the Lions will be relying even more heavily on Jahmyr Gibbs in Pacheco’s absence.
Pacheco, a two-time Super Bowl winner (LVII, LVIII) with the Kansas City Chiefs, was signed by Lions GM Brad Holmes this offseason to a one-year, $1.81 million deal.
So far in his NFL career, Pacheco has 2,537 yards (4.4 avg.) on 576 rushing attempts and 14 touchdowns, alongside 88 receptions for 554 yards (6.3 avg.) and three receiving touchdowns.
Pacheco Has Already Missed The Last Several Weeks
Pacheco, whom the Lions signed to a one-year contract this offseason, suffered an MCL sprain in Training Camp, and also is dealing with a back injury.
“I can’t give you anything definitive (on his return date),” Campbell said of Pacheco late last month. “He is feeling better as of yesterday. I mean, it’s been a little touch and go right now. He’s had a little bit of a back and we’re hoping he’s coming out of this as of yesterday a little bit.”
The fact that Pacheco already has a pair of Super Bowl rings hasn’t satisfied him yet, as evidenced by his introductory press conference with the Lions earlier this year.
“I’m a two-time champ,” he said. “I’m not satisfied, though. That’s something I’m not satisfied with. I’m more hungry than I ever was, and I’m ready to get to work.“
While this was exactly the kind of attitude the Lions want from their players, his injury is all the more disappointing – and worrying, considering his past injury history.
Without Pacheco, the Lions will take on the Bills on Thursday evening, beginning at 8:15 p.m. ET at new Highmark Stadium.
Lions’ Dan Campbell Delivers Devastating Update on RB Isiah Pacheco