The Kansas City Chiefs will be down an important man when they play the Denver Broncos on Sunday, ruling out running back Isiah Pacheco.
Pacheco last played in Week 8 and has been dealing with a knee injury. The fourth-year player has rushed for 329 yards and a touchdown this year on 78 carries. He’s the team’s starting running back, getting just more than half of their snaps at that spot when healthy this year.
Pacheco missed KC’s 28-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 9. That made Kareem Hunt the lead, getting 11 carries for 49 yards and a touchdown. Rookie Brashard Smith, three carries, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire, two carries, also played.
Pacheco nearly rushed for 1,000 yards in 2023, but has been derailed by injuries the past two years.
For the Broncos, it’s a benefit, especially given the team is expected to be without the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Pat Surtain II.
The game is crucial to KC’s season, with its fate possibly coming to a head in Colorado, while the Broncos could take a stranglehold on the AFC West.