The Kansas City Chiefs might be short-handed at running back in the near future.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, running back Isaiah Pacheco suffered an MCL sprain in the Week 8 win over the Washington Commanders and is considered week-to-week.
“Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco, who left Monday night’s win with a knee injury, is considered week-to-week with an MCL sprain, per sources,” Pelissero wrote.
This is the last thing the Chiefs’ struggling rushing attack needed, especially after it finally looked to be turning the corner in Week 8 against the Commanders.
Pacheco suffered the injury in the fourth quarter and it initially looked like he’d be fine after he popped up and looked excited following a sideline examination of his knee. Clearly, that was not the case and instead it now looks like he’ll miss time.
If Pacheco is sidelined, fellow running back Kareem Hunt would take the reins of the backfield and would be spelled by rookie Brashard Smith. Kansas City also has Elijah Mitchell on the 53-man roster and Clyde Edwards-Helaire on the practice squad.
While the Chiefs do rank 12th in rushing yards per game, the team is also averaging just 4.5 yards per carry. Hunt is averaging even less than that at four yards per tote, while Pacheco is gaining 4.2 yards per carry.
At one point, quarterback Patrick Mahomes was actually the team’s leading rusher.
It’s hard to blame all the of the run-game struggles on the Chiefs’ backs, though, as the offensive line ranks 24th in run-block win rate.
There has been no shortage of rumors and speculation about the Chiefs adding a running back at the trade deadline, but unless that running back can block, chances are they won’t help Kansas City much.
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