The Kansas City Chiefs are reported to be holding out several key starters in Week 18, but one that is confirmed out is also trending towards making a full return from injury. Head coach Andy Reid confirmed on Monday that running back Isiah Pacheco will still be out of practice and the regular season finale against the Denver Broncos, but looks to be available for the playoffs, according to Charles Goldman of A to Z Sports.
“While he won’t practice or play in Week 18’s game against the Broncos, #Chiefs HC Andy Reid gave a hopeful update on star RB Isiah Pacheco’s playoff availability following the rib injury that Pop suffered in Week 17,” Goldman said on X.
While he won't practice or play in Week 18's game against the Broncos, #Chiefs HC Andy Reid gave a hopeful update on star RB Isiah Pacheco's playoff availability following the rib injury that Pop suffered in Week 17. https://t.co/Ck0UaS1XWp pic.twitter.com/O3IQYs2ljV
— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) December 30, 2024
“He’ll be available playoff-wise. He is tender,” Reid said. “I’ll probably hold him back this week in practice just a bit so he can be fresh and ready to go.” Pacheco missed most of the 2024 season with a fractured fibula. He returned in the Chiefs victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day with a light workload, logging 18 yards on six carries.
The Chiefs have clinched the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC playoff picture, so Sunday’s game against Denver is a meaningless one. The Broncos, however, will be playing for the last spot in the AFC. In addition to Pacheco, left tackle D.J. Humphries is showing steady improvement from his hamstring injury, though his availability remains uncertain. “He’s doing good,” Reid said. “I can’t make you any promise. I want to get him out to practice and kind of see where we’re at. But he is doing good in his rehab part. That’s different than being on the field. So, I’d like to just see how he does there.”
Joe Thuney has played well since shifting from guard to left tackle in Humphries’ absence. So once Humphries is available again, the Chiefs will have to decide whether playing him will be in their best interests. “I’m going to play it kind of by ear as we go here,” Reid said. “I just want to see where we’re at and I’ll evaluate them as we go down the stretch here.”
Reid finally mentioned that receiver Mecole Hardman (knee) and cornerback Jaylen Watson (ankle) might return at some point during the postseason. However, he appeared more optimistic about Hardman’s recovery than Watson’s. On the other hand, receivers Rashee Rice and Skyy Moore have been ruled out from making any return.
