Chiefs' Isiah Pacheco headed to IR with fractured fibula after win over Bengals

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco reportedly suffered a lower-body fracture injury during Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals at home.

“Chiefs star RB Isiah Pacheco, who left the stadium in a walking boot and crutches, fractured his fibula based on initial tests, sources say,” reported Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network Monday morning.

Rapoport also noted that there will be more details to come upon further examination of Pacheco's injury, but for now, it appears that the tailback will be out for a while.

“More information coming to determine severity and associated damage, but Pacheco is set to miss real time.”

Pacheco left the Bengals game late in regulation, with many fearing that his injury would lead to a long-term absence, especially after he was seen departing the GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in crutches.

Shortly after the diagnosis, it was reported that Pacheco is headed to IR and would miss 6-to-8 weeks, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

‘Source: #Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco (fibula) expected to miss approximately 6-8 weeks. He’ll go on IR but plans to be back this year.'

This is another blow to the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes-led offense. The Chiefs have already placed wide receiver Hollywood Brown on the injured reserve with a shoulder injury. Brown is also not expected to return at any point for the remainder of the 2024 campaign.

Pacheco carried most of the load on the ground for the Chiefs versus the Bengals, rushing 19 times for a total of 90 yards. No other Chiefs player had more than seven rushing attempts in Kansas City’s otherwise thrilling 26-25 win over Cincinnati. In two games played in the 2024 season thus far, Pacheco has massed 135 rushing yards and a touchdown on 34 rushing attempts.

With Pacheco trending toward missing considerable time due to his injury, the Chiefs will be forced to ask more from his backups, particularly rookie Carson Steele and veteran Samaje Perine. Steele had seven carries for 24 rushing yards against the Bengals, while Perine only had one touch overall for three receiving yards. He inked a two-year deal worth $3.73 million with the Chiefs in 2022 after he was taken by Kansas City in the seventh round of the that year's NFL draft as the 251st pick overall.

The Chiefs are also still weeks away from getting running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire eligible to play after he was placed on the non-football illness list by the team earlier this September.

The 2-0 Chiefs, who beat the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1, are set to play their next two games away from Arrowhead Stadium. They will swing by Georgia for a matchup against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 3 before heading west to face the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4.

Article Continues Below

More Kansas City Chiefs News