An injury to star running back Isiah Pacheco may expose one of the Kansas City Chiefs‘ biggest roster holes.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Pacheco fractured his fibula in the Chiefs’ 26-25 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2 and is expected to land on injured reserve, meaning he should miss at least four games.
Schefter added he’s scheduled to have an MRI on Monday to determine if there is a fracture and or ligament damage to his ankle.
The third-year back plays a pivotal role in Kansas City’s offense. Through two games, he has rushed for 135 yards and one touchdown on 34 carries. He has also caught seven passes for 54 yards.
Last season, he tallied career highs in rushing yards (935) and rushing TDs (seven) in 14 regular-season games, helping the Chiefs repeat as Super Bowl champions.
“The Chiefs’ depth at the running back position has been a concern since the start of training camp,” wrote The Athletic’s Nate Taylor, Dianna Russini and Larry Holder. “With this being the first significant injury in Pacheco’s career, the Chiefs will likely have to rely on rookie fullback Carson Steele and seven-year veteran Samaje Perine, who joined the team just two weeks ago.”
Steele has served as the RB2 through the Chiefs’ first two games, running for the team’s third-most yards (27) on nine rushing attempts. Perine has yet to record a carry, but has logged two receptions for three yards.
The Chiefs placed RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, a former first-round pick, on the non-football illness list before the season opener and is expected to miss at least two more games. In July, Edwards-Helaire revealed he has recently experienced post-traumatic stress disorder.
The Chiefs should consider signing a free-agent RB, perhaps Jerick McKinnon, who helped the club capture two Super Bowls over the past three seasons.
Regardless, the Chiefs must find a viable replacement for Pacheco. Although they have QB Patrick Mahomes, he needs a strong ground attack to thrive.
