KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Isiah Pacheco, the Kansas City Chiefs’ starting running back, is targeting a return to the lineup for Thursday afternoon’s road game against the Dallas Cowboys, a source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Pacheco, 26, has been out since Oct. 27, when he sustained a right knee injury in the victory over the Washington Commanders. By playing against the Cowboys, Pacheco will have 10 days to rest and recover before Week 14, when the Chiefs host the Houston Texans for a primetime game Dec. 7.
Without Pacheco, the Chiefs have leaned heavily on running back Kareem Hunt, the 30-year-old and nine-year veteran. In the Chiefs’ comeback win Sunday over the Indianapolis Colts, Hunt recorded a season-high 30 rushing attempts for a season-high 104 yards and a touchdown.
Prior to his injury, Pacheco was averaging 4.2 rushing yards per attempt. He did participate in each of the Chiefs’ three practices last week, but coach Andy Reid didn’t want to have him play two games in a five-day span.
“I think he’s coming out pretty good,” Reid said Friday of Pacheco. “I think that’s a plus.”
The Chiefs also strengthened their running back room Monday by adding Dameon Pierce, a three-year veteran, to their practice squad. Pierce joined the Chiefs after he was released last week by the Texans. In four games this season, Pierce recorded 10 rushing attempts for 26 yards. The Chiefs are hopeful that Pierce can make his debut in their offense in a limited role against the Texans, his former team.