After losing their first game of the season to the Buffalo Bills in Week 11, the Kansas City Chiefs barely got past the Carolina Panthers 30-27 last Sunday on the road.
Kansas City enjoyed one of its best days on the ground, with 165 rushing yards against Carolina despite the close finish. Kareem Hunt led the way with 68 yards on 16 carries and Patrick Mahomes added another 60 yards on five scrambles.
Even with that high yardage total, Kansas City ranks 18th in the league in rushing this season. The Chiefs have had to work with Hunt, Carson Steele, and Samaje Perine at the running back position following a severe leg injury to last year’s leading rusher, Isiah Pacheco.
Pacheco was designated to return from injured reserve two weeks ago, opening a 21-day window for him to play for the Chiefs. He initially looked set to play against Carolina but was eventually held out of the game.
Here’s the latest on his status this week as the Chiefs return home to host the Las Vegas Raiders on Black Friday.
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Will Isiah Pacheco play this week?
Yes. Kansas City coach Andy Reid confirmed Wednesday that Pacheco will be back in the lineup against the Raiders, barring any significant setbacks.
Pacheco was a full-go in practice last week and was a full participant again on Tuesday and Wednesday ahead of the team’s Friday game. Kansas City is also expecting defensive lineman Charles Omenihu back from injury for this week’s game as well.
Isiah Pacheco injury
Pacheco was injured in Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals on a 1-yard carry on the final drive of the game. He was sandwiched by three Bengals defenders and Steele closed the game out at running back for the Chiefs.
Pacheco was later seen with crutches and in a walking boot.
He was later diagnosed with a fractured fibula, which typically takes between four and eight weeks to heal. His 10-week break is a bit longer than expected, and implies it was a severe fracture.
Chiefs RB depth chart
Hunt has been the primary ball-carrier out of the backfield for the Chiefs since Pacheco’s injury. Here’s how the depth chart has looked with him out:
Kareem Hunt
Samaje Perine
Carson Steele
Clyde Edwards-Helaire
One of those players will likely be demoted to the practice squad with Pacheco’s return, likely Edwards-Helaire. Keaontay Ingram is currently the only running back signed to the practice squad at time of publishing.
How to watch Chiefs-Raiders on Black Friday
Due to Thanksgiving taking away its usual ‘Thursday Night Football’ broadcast, Amazon Prime will broadcast the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders on Black Friday.
Date: Friday, Nov. 29
Time: 3 p.m. ET
Stream: Amazon Prime
Location: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)
Stream NFL football with Amazon Prime Video