Chiefs’ Isiah Pacheco injured: what injury does he have and how long will he be out?

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 26-25 at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday following a dramatic ending to the game, which saw kicker Harrison Butker score a late 51-yard field goal to give Patrick Mahomes and Co the victory.

Isiah Pacheco’s “major injury”

However, there was also some bad news for the reigning Super Bowl champions, as running back Isiah Pacheco was forced to leave the game in the last quarter. The 25-year-old looks to have suffered a serious ankle injury after his leg became trapped under an opponent.

“The only major injury would be Pacheco’s, his ankle” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said after the game. “We’ll have to wait and see, they’re doing some tests, X-rays, all that, so I don’t have anything more to say”.

Although Pacheco, who finished the game with 19 carries for 90 yards, was seen celebrating the triumph with his teammates, he later left the stadium using crutches and wearing an orthopedic boot.

The worst-case scenario for Pacheco injury

The Chiefs have yet to issue an official update on the running back’s condition, although there has been plenty of talk in the media about the length of time he could be out for.

Dr Jesse Morse, a sports medicine physician who specialises in NFL injuries, believes Pacheco may have suffered an ankle fracture, although that hasn’t been confirmed.

If that is the case, he could miss anywhere between four and 12 weeks. The latter scenario would mean the New Jersey native would even be in danger of missing the entire regular season.