The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off of a bye week and facing brutal back-to-back tests on the road against the Denver Broncos in Week 11 and at home against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12, both 8-2 opponents in the AFC that are tied for the best record in the NFL.
Kansas City explored some upgrades to the roster ahead of the league’s trade deadline on Nov. 4 but ultimately did not make any moves of note. One position the Chiefs were looking at was running back, though they refused to come up to the third-round pick that the New York Jets wanted in return for Breece Hall.
As a result, Kansas City will rely on Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt to continue sharing the load in the offensive backfield down the stretch of the season and into the playoffs — assuming the Chiefs earn a place there come January. The lack of an addition to the running back room hit harder on Monday when Chiefs head coach Andy Reid offered a concise, but concerning, injury update on Pacheco.
“I'll have to see on Pacheco,” Reid said in response to a reporter who asked if Pacheco would be back at practice this week.
Pacheco suffered an MCL sprain during a contest against the Washington Commanders on Oct. 27 and sat out against the Buffalo Bills the following week.
The Chiefs’ bye came at an opportune time for the fourth-year running back, though the extra time off has not guaranteed his return for a crucial contest against the Broncos within the division this weekend.
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