Why isn’t Isiah Pacheco playing for the Chiefs against the Saints? NFL Week 5 injury status
The running back continues to fight for fitness with a fractured fibula which has since been operated on. So, when will he be back in the lineup?
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco will not play in the Week 5 game against the New Orleans Saints due to a fibula fracture he sustained in the team’s Week 2 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
The 25-year-old went down in the fourth quarter of the 26-25 win at Arrowhead Stadium, which saw a tense closing stage, with Pacheco’s injury 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 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, 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, “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 the team to release him in 2018. The player was suspended for eight games the following season after signing with the Browns, and he has played in Cleveland for the past five years.
The NFL Week 5 clash between the Kansas City Chiefs and the New Orleans Saints will be played at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on Monday, October 7th, 2024. Kick-off is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET/5:15 p.m. PT. Viewers in the US will be able to watch the game on ESPN, while a free trial is also available on FuboTV.