NFL
Why isn’t Isiah Pacheco playing for the Chiefs against the Falcons? NFL Week 3 injury status
The running back has suffered an injury that has fans biting their nails on his fitness for the upcoming fixtures.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco will not play for his side in the Week 3 game against the Atlanta Falcons due to a fibula fracture sustained in the recent win over the Bengals.
The 25-year-old went down in the fourth quarter of the 26-25 win at Arrowhead Stadium that saw a tense closing stage with the injury to Pacheco a particular low point. He had been a key player for the side so far, receiving 15 of the 20 Chiefs’ carries in a Week 1 win over the Ravens and 19 of 32 in their victory last week.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that Pacheco’s surgery was successful and involved no complications. However, while scans showed no damage to the ligaments, boss Andy Reid was, unfortunately, not in high spirits when discussing the injury, admitting “I can’t give you a time when he’ll return”.
When will Isiah Pacheco return?
What’s worse is that the backline staple may well miss the rest of the season. An initial projection of weeks not months was given, although Reid said “we’ll just see if it’s this season or next season”, adding that “we’ll see how he does as he goes here.”
Who will replace Isiah Pacheco in the Chiefs’ lineup?
As things stand, Carson Steele, a 21-year-old rookie, and veteran Samaje Perine are the two players in line to take over from Pacheco. The team did acquire former player Kareem Hunt, although he is not yet ready to be dropped in.
“We’ll get him in here and get some work,” Reid said when discussing Hunt. “Kind of get him back in the swing of playing. Then we’ll just see as the game gets closer. … Try to get him in a position where he’s ready to play either this week, next week or the following week.”
Hunt was a regular at the Chiefs before a video emerged of him assaulting a woman in a hotel, leading to the team to release him in 2018. The player was given a suspension of eight games the following season after signing with the Browns and he has played in Cleveland for the past five years.
The NFL Week 3 clash between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Atlanta Falcons will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on Sunday September 22, 2024. Kick-off is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET/5:20 p.m. PT. Viewers in the US will be able to watch the game on FOX, while a free trial is also available on fubo.