Starting running back Isiah Pacheco suffered a right knee injury with four minutes left in the contest after being tackled low by Commanders cornerback Trey Amos. Pacheco was slow getting up and limped off to the sideline following the play.
Pacheco was treated immediately by Kansas City’s medical staff and was seen lying on training table on the sidelines. He eventually got to his feet, clapping hard, leading many to believe he was no worse for wear.
Pacheco did not return to the game for any of the Chiefs’ final three offensive snaps, and there is concern about his availability moving forward.
Here’s what to know about Pacheco’s knee injury and how long it might sideline him.
Isiah Pacheco injury update
Pacheco suffered an MCL sprain during the Chiefs’ win over the Commanders, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The 26-year-old running back is expected to be ‘week-to-week’ because of the injury.
It isn’t clear whether Pacheco will be able to play in the Chiefs’ Week 9 game against the Buffalo Bills. Typically, players with the ‘week-to-week’ designation miss at least one game. With Kansas City set to be on bye in Week 10, the Chiefs may be content to get their banged-up top rusher some rest.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid did not provide much insight into Pacheco’s injury during his postgame news conference on Oct. 27. He simply told reporters Pacheco – who he affectionately calls ‘Pop’ – and linebacker Nick Bolton had both suffered knee injuries.
‘We’ll just see how they do as they go forward here,’ Reid said.
Pacheco has logged a team-high 329 rushing yards on 78 carries. He has also caught 11 passes for 43 yards and a score.
Who is Isiah Pacheco’s backup?
Hunt, 30, is playing his ninth NFL season in 2025 and his second consecutively with the Chiefs. He was a fill-in starter when Pacheco was injured last season and has backed up the Rutgers product this season. Hunt has totaled 245 yards and four touchdowns on 62 carries while adding eight catches for 57 yards and a touchdown through the air in that role.
Hunt (5-11, 216 pounds) runs with a physical, downhill style and will likely continue to get plenty of short-yardage and goal-line opportunities even when Pacheco is healthy.
Chiefs RB depth chart
The Chiefs currently have four running backs on their 53-man roster, including Pacheco, and six within their organization. Below is a look at the pecking order within the unit.
- Isiah Pacheco
- Kareem Hunt
- Brashard Smith
- Elijah Mitchell
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire (practice squad)
- Carson Steele (practice squad)
Hunt would be first in line to get carries if Pacheco misses time, but Smith would also take on a larger role. The seventh-round rookie is averaging just 3 yards per carry but has caught 14 passes for 122 yards in limited action. The SMU product began his college career at receiver before switching to running back, so he could end up being Kansas City’s top passing back without Pacheco.
Meanwhile, Mitchell hasn’t handled an in-season carry since his 2023 stint with the San Francisco 49ers while Edwards-Helaire – a first-round pick by the Chiefs in 2020 – had just 13 carries with the Saints last season.
Steele handled 56 carries for the Chiefs last season as an undrafted rookie. The 6-0, 228-pound hammer has also played fullback and could get a chance to see the field if Pacheco’s absence is of the long-term variety.
Pacheco’s absence could also prompt the Chiefs to explore adding a running back on the NFL’s trade market. Breece Hall and Rico Dowdle are among the top running backs who could end up on the trade block.