The Chiefs escaped Sunday's Week 2 game against the Bengals with a win but Isiah Pacheco suffered a leg injury in the process.
Patrick Mahomes needed to march Kansas City into field goal range to give his team a chance to pull off a comeback win.
The Chiefs tried to use Pacheco to spark the drive, handing off to their starting running back on two of the first three plays for the series. He had a gain of six yards on the first carry and was stopped by a pack of Bengals for a one-yard gain on the second.
Pacheco came up hobbling after taking a hit from multiple angles and did not return for the final two minutes.
Kansas City got some help from a defensive pass interference call on fourth-and-long, setting up a game-winning 51-yard field goal from Harrison Butker as time expired.
The Chiefs advanced to 2-0 win the victory but Pacheco's status will be worth monitoring ahead of Week 3.
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Isiah Pacheco leg injury update
Pacheco left Sunday's win over the Bengals on the final drive of the game. He was gang-tackled by three Bengals players and landed awkwardly, twisting his knee and ankle on the way down.
Pacheco injury damn pic.twitter.com/H6eWAKS2o3
— Tedd Buddwell 🏀🏈 (@TedBuddy8) September 15, 2024
Pacheco was removed from the game at the two-minute warning and did not return. He reportedly fractured his fibula, NFL insider Ian Rapoport revealed Monday, and is expected to miss time. Pacheco will be placed on Injured Reserve, and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. The team will reportedly bring in former running back Kareem Hunt for a visit Tuesday and could sign him to offset the loss of Pacheco.
The broadcast did show Pacheco on his feet celebrating with the team after Butker's game-winning 51-yard field goal, leading some to believe the injury wasn't as bad as initially feared.
Pacheco had another strong game prior to the injury. He finished with 19 carries for 90 yards and added five receptions for 21 receiving yards.
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How long is Isiah Pacheco out?
After the game, head coach Andy Reid said Pacheco is being evaluated for an ankle injury.
Pacheco is "getting tests and X-rays on his ankle and he doesn't know [the] extent [of the injury]," per ESPN's Jeff Darlington.
According to the Kansas City Star's Jesse Newell, Pacheco was visibly emotional as he sat in the locker room following Sunday's game.
Following imaging, Pacheco is believed to have a fractured fibula, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. If that is the initial diagnosis, Pacheco would likely miss multiple weeks recovering from the injury.
Isiah Pacheco fantasy outlook
Pacheco will very likely miss the Chiefs' "Sunday Night Football" matchup against the Falcons in Week 3.
With Pacheco sidelined, backup running back Samaje Perine or rookie fullback Carson Steele should be in line for more action.
Perine was picked up by the Chiefs just before their season opener. The eight-year veteran hasn't had any carries yet this season but he has had moments in the passing game with two receptions for 13 yards.
Steele could be a sleeper pickup after toting seven carries for 24 yards against the Bengals. He also had two carries for three yards in Week 1 against the Ravens, looking like head coach Andy Reid's more favorable option in the ground game.
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