The Kansas City Chiefs will be without star running back Isiah Pacheco for their upcoming matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Pacheco, who was having an impressive season with 34 carries for 135 yards, sustained a fractured fibula in his right leg during a Week 2 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
In Pacheco’s absence, the Chiefs turned to former running back Kareem Hunt, who has performed well in the role so far this season. However, Pacheco’s eventual return would be a welcome boost to the Chiefs’ offense as they push for a third consecutive Vince Lombardi trophy.
Chiefs had hoped Pacheco was close to a return
While the Chiefs had opened a 21-day window for both Pacheco and defensive end Charles Omenihu last week, head coach Andy Reid quickly ruled them both out for the game against the Buffalo Bills.
#Chiefs Isiah Pacheco running through drills during Friday’s practice.
We’ll hear from Andy Reid later to learn if Pop (& Charles Omenihu) will play this Sunday against Carolina #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/mVnDNslXb0
— Matt Foster (@MattFosterTV) November 22, 2024
On Friday, Reid confirmed that neither player would be ready for Sunday’s game against the Panthers. Omenihu, still recovering from an ACL tear sustained in the AFC Championship game, remains on the physically unable to perform list. In addition to the absences of Pacheco and Omenihu, wide receiver Hollywood Brown will also miss practice.
Brown, who caused some speculation with a clock emoji post on Twitter, has been recovering from a dislocated sternoclavicular joint, which required hospitalization after a preseason injury. Reid updated reporters on Brown’s progress. “He’s making very good progress, but I can’t tell you when he’ll be back,” Reid told the gathered media.
As the Chiefs aim to rebound from their loss to the Bills, they will have to find ways to adjust without several key players as they look to continue their pursuit of another Super Bowl title. It will require a lot of effort on Reid’s part to find solutions within his current roster, given the importance of Pacheco to his team’s dynamic offense.
