Why isn’t Isiah Pacheco playing for the Chiefs against the Buccaneers? When will he return?

Running back Isiah Pacheco remains unavailable to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 9 of the 2024 NFL regular season, as the 25-year-old continues his recovery from a fractured fibula.

When will Pacheco be back from injury?

Pacheco has been sidelined since suffering the injury in the Chiefs’ Week 2 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on September 15. Placed on Kansas City’s injured reserve list (IR) three days later, he is yet to be re-activated and is reportedly in line to return to practice later this month.

Speaking on the football show NFL GameDay Morning on Sunday, NFL insider Ian Rapoport revealed that Pacheco, who had September surgery on his damaged fibula, “is expected to resume practice in two to three weeks.”

In a press conference last week, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Pacheco is “making great progress”. “He’s really doing well, but between the trainers and doctors and all, that’s out of my hands there,” the veteran Kansas City boss told reporters.

Buccaneers vs Chiefs: start time, how to watch

The Chiefs have remained unbeaten in Pacheco’s absence, and on Monday will look to extend their winning start to the 2024 season to 8-0. The back-to-back defending Super Bowl champions take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Arrowhead Stadium, where kick-off is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET/5:15 p.m. PT.

Viewers in the United States will be able to watch the game on ESPN, ABC, ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes. If you don’t have cable, you can stream ESPN and ABC on the online platform fubo, which offers new users a free trial.

Enjoy Monday Night Football on fubo.

While the Chiefs are 7-0 heading into Week 9, the Buccaneers have slipped to 4-4 after consecutive defeats. Most recently, the Floridians lost 31-26 to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 8.