When will Isiah Pacheco come back? Chiefs RB's potential return timeline explored

Isiah Pacheco suffered a broken fibula in a Week 2 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The two-time Super Bowl-winning running back was gearing up for a push to rack up over 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his professional career. However, the progress was curtailed in just the second game of the 2024 NFL season.

As we approach the midpoint of the 2024 regular season, let's examine when Isiah Pacheco will return to action.

When will Isiah Pacheco come back?

Isiah Pacheco's injury looked very bad in the immediate aftermath. Back then, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid gave a pessimistic response about a potential return date. The Super Bowl-winning HC said,

"I cannot give you a time when he will be back. We will just see if it is this season or the next."

However, just over a week ago, Pacheco posted a video of himself on a treadmill. It's a sign that the Chiefs' RB1 is making progress toward a return date.

Hence, it might take Pacheco some time to absorb regular NFL contact, so it's looking increasingly likely that he'll return to the Gridiron before the end of the season. Expect the Chiefs to open Pacheco's return window in a few weeks, with the third-year RB slowly getting back his feel for the game.

How have the Chiefs fared without Isiah Pacheco?

The Kansas City Chiefs haven't missed a beat in Pacheco's absence. The team is playing winning football and remains unbeaten, entering Week 9.

Following Pacheco's injury, the Chiefs have recorded wins against the Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles Chargers, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers, and Las Vegas Raiders.

One of the standouts in Pacheco's absence is free agent acquisition Kareem Hunt. Hunt has taken over the backfield and racked up a stat line of 84 carries, 308 rushing yards, and four TDs in the process. He'll look forward to more of the same against Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9.