The Kansas City Chiefs are facing a critical situation with their running back room following Isiah Pacheco’s injury in Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Pacheco, who is a significant part of the Chiefs’ offense, suffered a fractured fibula late in the fourth quarter. The injury occurred during a short-yardage run when Pacheco was tackled awkwardly by multiple Bengals defenders, causing his leg to bend under his body.
With Pacheco sidelined indefinitely, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid is now evaluating his remaining options at running back. During a press conference on September 16, Reid addressed the injury and discussed how the team plans to manage without their starting back. Reid emphasized the need for the team’s depth to step up in Pacheco’s absence while also acknowledging that Pacheco’s recovery will take time.
Reid’s Confidence in Carson Steele
One of the key players Reid highlighted is rookie running back Carson Steele, who has seen limited action so far this season. “He’s going to have to step it up in that role,” Reid said of Steele. “But I think he likes to be challenged. It will be a good challenge for him.” Steele, who fumbled during the game, will need to secure the ball better moving forward. “He didn’t have a history of that, so he’s gotta make sure he learns from that,” Reid added.
Despite Steele’s limited experience, Reid expressed confidence in the young back’s ability to fill Pacheco’s role, particularly on early downs. Steele’s physical style of play could help him manage the increased workload, though Reid noted that Steele needs to show consistency moving forward. The coaching staff will be keeping a close eye on how Steele performs in the coming weeks.
Exploring Other Running Back Options
Reid also mentioned veteran running back Samaje Perine, who has been splitting snaps with Steele. While Perine is a more complete back, Reid suggested that Steele’s bruising running style makes him the logical choice for the bulk of early-down carries. “We’re blessed to have some good people here,” Reid said, while also noting that general manager Brett Veach is exploring external options to bolster the depth chart.
When asked about Pacheco’s potential return, Reid remained cautious, explaining that there is no set timeline. “I don’t have a timeframe on Pacheco. It won’t be this week, and it’ll probably be more than that. It’s going to take a little bit of time there,” Reid stated. While the Chiefs will rely on their current backs for now, Veach will continue evaluating free-agent options to strengthen the running game.
Another potential addition to the running back rotation is Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who is currently on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list and will be unavailable for at least two more weeks. Reid said on Edwards-Helaire’s future role, saying, “Yeah, that’s part of the equation. We’ve got to just figure all of that out and see how all that fits in.” While Edwards-Helaire’s return could bolster the backfield, the Chiefs will rely on Steele and Perine in the meantime.
Pacheco’s Mindset and Recovery
During his media availability, Reid was asked about Pacheco’s emotional state following the injury. “He was emotional. But you don’t ever want to lose that,” Reid said. “Here’s a guy that loves to play the game, so he had tears. He was emotional.” Pacheco’s passion for the game has always been evident, and Reid highlighted how much the young running back loves playing football. The team is hopeful that Pacheco’s emotional resilience will help him on his road to recovery.
Reid added that Pacheco had met with doctors but that a clear recovery timeline has yet to be determined. For now, the Chiefs will focus on their in-house options, with the possibility of bringing in additional help depending on how the situation evolves over the next few weeks.
Final Thoughts
Isiah Pacheco’s injury is a significant blow to the Kansas City Chiefs, but Andy Reid remains optimistic about the depth within the team. The Chiefs will rely heavily on Carson Steele and Samaje Perine to handle the workload in Pacheco’s absence, with potential reinforcements being explored by Brett Veach.
Though it’s uncertain how long Pacheco will be out, his emotional drive and love for the game could aid his recovery. For now, the Chiefs must adapt quickly and find a way to keep their ground game effective while they await the return of their dynamic running back.
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