Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco Suffers Fractured Fibula in Win Over Bengals: What It Means for Kansas City’s Offense

                                                Kansas City Chiefs fans are still reeling from the news of their star running back, Isiah Pacheco, breaking his fibula on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Pacheco is expected to be out for a big part of the season, regarding the Chiefs’ depth at running back position and the team’s offense.

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Details of Isiah Pacheco’s Injury

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that Pacheco left the game in the fourth quarter Sunday and was the most productive running back with 90 rushing yards on 19 attempts. He also made an additional five receptions for 21 yards. The first examination showed that Mahomes had a broken lower leg and the Chiefs are still examining him to see whether there is any ligament involving injury. In the worst-case scenario of a fracture, Pacheco will miss at least four to eight weeks of the season if he moves to injured reserve. 

Pacheco was among the key players and his injury absence created a big hole in the Chiefs’ offense formation. Tough runner at heart, Pacheco provides that much-needed aggression to an offense led by Patrick Mahomes’ passing game. His performance as a runner and also as a receiver out of the back formation are some of the reasons he has been very instrumental in Kansas City’s explosive attack.

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Chiefs Running Back Depth: Going forward, who will step up? 

That means, unfortunately for Pacheco, head coach Andy Reid will likely have to recover from the setback quickly since the Chiefs are missing several games and may need to make changes to their running back. Well, the team already has Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the reserve/non-football illness list, and another RB signed, Samaje Perine is more of a passing threat. 

Here’s a look at the Chiefs' running back depth chart following Pacheco’s injury: 

• Samaje Perine – Perine has only signed just before the commencement of the game and, has demonstrated strength as a receiver and a mauler. Though he is no Pacheco when it comes to power running behind the line, Perine’s experience comes in handy in passing scenarios.  
• Carson Steele – He is the undrafted rookie from Ball State University who also took part in the game towards the closing period of the game in replacement of Pacheco, Steele specialized in running between the tackles. As a bigger and more powerful runner, Steele may only be best suited to early-down work, but he has little NFL experience to draw on. 
• Jerick McKinnon – McKinnon is a free agent from the club at the moment but there are rumors that Kansas City might consider re-signing him for help in the backfield. McKinnon was a key part of the Chiefs’ offense in the previous year with sound hands when catching the ball and demonstrating resilience in protecting the QB.

How Andy Reid Plans to Fill the Void

Mentor Andy Reid is known to make changes, but the loss of Pacheco as a participant in the game will make him change his strategy on the offense. This has been a key component of the Chiefs’ offense especially when defense teams try to deny Mahomes the ability to throw deep. If it were not for Pacheco’s downhill running style, Kansas City could be penciling in a more of a committee backfield including Perine, Steele, and possibly McKinnon all at the same time. 

Reid has not stated whether the team will pursue other free agents for the position but with the Chiefs having other injuries as well, depth at the running back position has become an issue. The front office may also look to trade for a more established back as the team gears up for a difficult schedule ahead without one of the top talents in the team.

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Impact on the Kansas City Chiefs’ Season

The Chiefs are used to their fair share of misfortune but losing Pacheco just piles on the misfortunes that the team is going through. With Clyde Edwards-Helaire ruled out and Pacheco expected to miss at least a month of action, it could change the team’s offense dynamics. Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce will remain at the top of the team’s aerial arsenal, yet, without a steady ground fear, opposing teams may try to get to Mahomes and cover the pass more strictly. 

Still, the Chiefs are a Super Bowl-caliber team, and if Reid is going to find a way to get it done and diversify his attack. If Perine and Steele come to represent genuine threats, Kansas City can sustain the team’s effectiveness on the ground. Jerick McKinnon, who is also expected to return, may also return and help through the past as well. 

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                                         Losing Isiah Pacheco with a fractured fibula is a blow for Kansas City Chiefs but the team has talent and tested personnel to get over the hump. The fans will follow Pacheco’s progress and all Chiefs Nation will wish him to come back as soon as possible. Meanwhile, everyone waits to see how Andy Reid and his coaching staff will be fair in handling the issues that surround the running back and football’s overall organization. 

Once the outlook for Pacheco’s availability becomes more crystal clear, be sure to check back with the Chiefs’ depth chart, injury report, and how Kansas will move forward with its season without its leading rusher.

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FAQ: Isiah Pacheco's Injury and the Kansas City Chiefs' Running Back Situation

1. What happened to Isiah Pacheco?

Isiah Pacheco limped off the pitch during the Kansas City Chiefs' victory against the Cincinnati Bengals after reporting a fractured fibula. He came out of the game at the end of the fourth quarter and was later spotted on a walking boot, and even on crutches. 

2. How long will Isiah Pacheco be out?

The normal recovery time period for the fractured fibula normally lasts between four and eight weeks depending on the extent of the injury. For this reason, the Chiefs want to conduct further tests to see if there is some kind of ligament that is injured, which will provide more time for his recovery. 

3. How long will Isiah Pacheco be out?

Without Pacheco, the chief's options are Samaje Perine, Carson Steele, and potentially Jerick McKinnon if they were to bring him back. Perine will likely take over in the pass-catching duties while Steele could potentially be utilized in the early-down runs. Former Chiefs’ first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire is also on the reserve/non-football illness list. 

4. What does this mean for the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense?

Pacheco’s absence will deal a huge blow to the Chiefs’ running game, which has been instrumental in their midst of offenses. Yeah, he is a very good player, but without him and his extraordinarily running animations, the Chiefs might be more focused on the passing game with Patrick Mahomes. On the other hand, Andy Reid may also go for the committee approach in the backfield. 

5. Could Pacheco be placed on injured reserve?

Yes, that is possible; one of the options, at least, is to put Pacheco on the list of injured reserve if the time needed to recover is going to be long. This would put him out of commission as early as four weeks, but help the Chiefs to open up a roster spot. 

6. What are the Chiefs’ options to fill the running back void?

Instead, the Chiefs could retain Jerick McKinnon who was a vital player in offense last season besides Samaje Perine and Carson Steele. They may also look at other more ‘free-agent or trading ‘ alternatives to build up strength in what may be a weak point in the running back position. 

7. How has Isiah Pacheco performed this season?

Pacheco was a pivotal player in the Chiefs and was especially their primary rusher before his injury. In the week’s match against the Bengals, he rushed for 90 yards in 19 carries and received the ball five times for 21 yards as he brought out the versatility of running backs. 

8. Can the Chiefs still make a deep playoff run without Pacheco?

 Chiefs are a very stern team; they have assembled a good lineup and are well-coached. Therefore, even though the absence of Pacheco is a proper blow, Kansas City is still the team ready to compete for the title of Super Bowl. Another question will be how well the backups perform and how the offense will adapt during his time on the bench.