Isiah Pacheco is back on the practice field for the Kansas City Chiefs, and fantasy football managers are taking notice. After missing time with an undisclosed issue, his return adds intrigue to an already crowded backfield. The Chiefs face a tough Dallas defense on Thursday, setting the stage for plenty of speculation.
Pacheco’s role and how close he is to being his old self will be key fantasy football storylines this week.
Isiah Pacheco Injury Update
Pacheco is set to return to the field for the Kansas City Chiefs against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday. He does not appear on the team’s injury report ahead of Week 13.
Pacheco will likely enter a split backfield situation with Kareem Hunt and rookie Brashard Smith having roles going forward.
— PFSN Fantasy Football Analyst Dan Fornek
Pacheco Fantasy Outlook
We haven’t seen Pacheco (knee) since Week 8, but he was practicing in a limited capacity last week and is trending toward a return to action.
It’s great to see some optimism in this situation, but I think fantasy managers are going to have to get proof of life before feeling a pull to flex any part of this committee.
READ MORE: Soppe’s Week 13 Fantasy Football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em: Analysis for Every Player in Every Game
Things were trending in the direction of Pacheco before the injury (12+ carries in three straight games after not clearing 10 in any of Kansas City’s first five games) and while I’d bet on him leading this backfield in work for the remainder of the season, it took over a month for him to look like the RB1 in this offense and that has me thinking he needs at least one ramp up game.
We know that Kareem Hunt carries the touchdown equity, even when this backfield is at full strength, and that creates a low floor. I like this matchup enough to flex Pacheco in deeper formats, but he’s far from a must-play.
— PFSN Fantasy Football Analyst Kyle Soppe
