Chiefs rookie Carson Steele must step up after Isaiah Pacheco injury

Undrafted rookie sensation Carson Steele took the NFL world by storm during the preseason. Now the Kansas City Chiefs running back needs to step up to the challenge of replacing Isaiah Pacheco.

The Chiefs got bad news on Monday when X-rays revealed a broken fibula that will keep Pacheco out of action for "weeks."

"It's going to take a little bit of time," Reid told reporters on Monday. He also said that the Chiefs will "go with the guys we have now," rather than try to make a big move to replace Pacheco. This likely means that Steele, who took a bulk of the carries after Pacheco's injury on Sunday, will continue to see steady work.

Whether that will be a positive development for the Chiefs remains to be seen. During their Week 2 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, Steele averaged 3.4 yards on seven carries with a long run of nine yards. He also fumbled the ball in the second quarter, which led to a Bengals field goal on their next possession.

The Chiefs will also lean heavily on veteran Samaje Perine, especially on passing downs. But when it's time for early-down rushing attempts they will likely give Steele a significant shot at making hay.

Starring in the preseason does not always lead to regular season success, though. Steele must now prove he's more than a preseason sensation for a team that has the highest possible aspirations in the NFL.

Up next for Steele and the Chiefs is their first road game of the season. They will travel to Atlanta to face the Falcons on Sunday Night Football in Week 3.

So far, the Falcons have proven to be a difficult defense to run against. They are tied for third in the NFL in yards per carry allowed (3.3), and the Falcons have yet to allow a single rushing score.