In a devastating blow to the Kansas City Chiefs, running back Isiah Pacheco has suffered a broken right leg, sidelining him potentially until November. This unexpected turn of events paves the way for the undrafted rookie Carson Steele to seize a more prominent role within the squad.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid confirmed that after their nail-biting 26-25 victory, Pacheco underwent X-rays which led to an MRI on Monday morning, confirming the seriousness of the injury. The 25-year-old Pacheco was later observed departing Arrowhead Stadium equipped with a boot and crutches. The injury occurred during a dramatic one-yard run that culminated in Harrison Butker’s clutch game-winning field goal.
“For now, we’re going to stick with the guys we have here,” Reid stated on Monday, clearly indicating trust in his existing roster despite the setback.
A noticeable point of omission was any reference to free agent options, such as the ever-controversial former Chiefs and Browns running back Kareem Hunt.
“(General manager Brett) Veach is looking at his rosters and evaluating people. We have good people here,” Reid expressed, showing confidence in Veach’s judgment and the team’s current composition.
Pacheco showcased his talent on Sunday by racking up 90 yards on 19 carries, along with catching five passes for 21 yards. Over two games, he’s accumulated a team-high 135 rushing yards.
Since being selected in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Pacheco has been instrumental in the Chiefs’ success, aiding in clinching two Super Bowl championships and amassing an impressive total of 2,328 yards from scrimmage with 15 touchdowns across 33 games (26 starts). In playoff games, he has added another 635 yards and four touchdowns from scrimmage.
With Pacheco now headed to the injured reserve list, and the Chiefs boasting a bye in Week 6, the earliest fans might see Pacheco back on the field would be October 27 in Las Vegas. NFL rules mandate that players on the injured list miss a minimum of four games.
“He likes to be challenged. This is going to be a good challenge for him,” Reid commented about rookie Carson Steele, who boasts a strong record with UCLA, rushing for 847 yards and scoring six touchdowns last season. “He needs to keep the ball high and tight. He lost the ball yesterday. He has no history with that. He’s got to learn from that.”
Stay tuned, Chiefs Kingdom, as the next chapter unfolds with both proven veterans and aspiring rookies stepping up to maintain the Kansas City Chiefs’ pursuit of football glory!
