Kansas Metropolis Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco is set to return to the field for Friday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders. His return could not come soon enough for the defending champions.
According to ESPN’s Adam Teicher, the Chiefs will activate Pacheco off the injured reserve record in time for Friday’s sport. Head coach Andy Reid stated that if the previous seventh-round decide appeared OK in observe, he can be set to play the Raiders.
Pacheco was positioned on IR after struggling a fractured fibula within the Week 2 matchup in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals. Since then, the Chiefs have solely misplaced as soon as and have gained six one-score video games, showcasing their penchant for tight victories. General, the Chiefs are 8-0 in one-score video games this season, they usually’ll want Pacheco to carry out at a excessive stage in the event that they discover themselves in additional tight video games.
Via two video games, Pacheco rushed for 135 yards and scored one landing. These aren’t eye-popping stats, however the damage the previous Rutgers star suffered bought in the way in which of the prospect for him to construct on his breakout 2023 season, when he rushed for 935 yards and 7 touchdowns en path to the Tremendous Bowl.
Down the stretch of 2023, Pacheco turned a dependable, powerful runner who may prolong drives. The Chiefs’ identification wasn’t smashmouth soccer, however an efficient floor sport gave Reid a variety of choices when calling performs.
In Pacheco’s absence, the Chiefs have turned to working again Kareem Hunt, who has carried out an environment friendly job. The No. 2 working again on the depth chart, Hunt has rushed for 577 yards and 5 touchdowns this season. ESPN has him projected to rush for 1,226 yards by season’s end if he were to continue his current pace. Of course, with Pacheco’s return, Hunt’s role will change, but a running back-by-committee approach should interest the Chiefs.
Pacheco will be returning to action after a lengthy absence, and the Chiefs’ identity this year hasn’t revolved around explosive playmaking and long runs, but doing whatever it takes to escape with a score.
Pacheco will provide the team with extra speed they haven’t had in the backfield for weeks. With Hunt able to grind down defenses, Pacheco may have more opportunities to find running lanes for big plays.
“He’s going to be Pop, man,” Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes said in a news conference, referencing Pacheco’s nickname. “We will must work him again to when he is prepared after which, when he will get on the sphere, not attempting to overdo it.”
Mahomes has additionally expressed his hope the Chiefs do not must win each sport by one rating, and Pacheco can contribute to that by giving their offense extra alternatives to increase drives.
The Chiefs are heading to the playoffs, barring an unprecedented collapse, however elevating their offense to maintain them much more aggressive in January is vital to ascertain now. Pacheco’s return may very well be simply the spark they should make a run for an additional Tremendous Bowl title.
