When Isiah Pacheco was forced to leave the Kansas City Chiefs' win over the Washington Commanders with a knee issue, it was a frustrating turn for a running back in a contract season hoping to rebound from an injury-plagued season in 2024. As it turns out, [the '25 campaign is a similarly paved path](https://arrowheadaddict.com/isiah-pacheco-s-injury-puts-chiefs-in-uncomfortable-spot-vs-bills-01k8p3dvjmae).
Pacheco remained on the Chiefs' active roster, which indicated an internal belief that he could have been ready to go sooner than later. The Chiefs termed him week-to-week in the wake of the injury news, and they held him out of their Week 9 loss to the Buffalo Bills in order to let him have the bye week as well. Yet even after that extra rest, Pacheco was still missing in action as the Chiefs returned from the bye to lose at Mile High in a tough divisional bout against the Denver Broncos.
Now as the Chiefs prepare to host the Indianapolis Colts in a very important conference showdown in Week 12, [Pacheco will once again watch from the sidelines](https://x.com/ByNateTaylor/status/1991945758736576971). Given the amount of time missed at this point, it's a frustrating realization for a team that needs help and a player motivated to get back as soon as possible.
Once again Isiah Pacheco will be out for the Chiefs and it's costing all parties involved.
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The Chiefs avoided any trade deadline additions earlier in November, and that inactivity could have been partially informed by a belief that Pacheco would return soon to bolster the position. The Chiefs have also lost a roster spot for the last month instead of being able to put Pacheco on injured reserve to free up the spot. Perhaps it's worth keeping Pacheco around in practice, but four weeks out is a long time at a needy position.
For Pacheco, the inability to get back onto the field is robbing him (literally) of future security. For the second straight season, he's missed significant time due to injury, which is a very unfortunate turn following his early success as the Chiefs' leading rusher in each of his first two seasons. So far this season, Pacheco has 78 rushes for 329 yards and 1 touchdown.
Looking ahead, Pacheco will undoubtedly have to settle for a one-year deal in free agency—either from the Chiefs or another team. Perhaps that was always going to be the case, but a healthy contract season would have been a nice boost for both the player's wallet and the Chiefs' production. Instead, Pacheco's injury continues to be a drag on all fronts, and now K.C. will have to hope they can take down the Colts with a weakened backfield.