The Kansas City Chiefs have had one major issue throughout the 2025 season. Even though the offense seems to have found its footing once again, the running game remains suspect, at best. Unfortunately, over the last few weeks, things have taken a turn for the worse.
Their RB1, Isiah Pacheco, checked out of a dominant victory over the Washington Commanders and hasn’t been back in the lineup since. Unfortunately, in a critical divisional game against the Denver Broncos, the team isn’t getting any respite with their ground game.
Isiah Pacheco Missing Second-Straight Game
A shocking find for the Chiefs in the 2022 NFL Draft, Pacheco immediately became a key component to their attack as a rookie. Despite being drafted in the seventh round, he quickly earned a starting role on the roster.
That translated to back-to-back excellent seasons where he was a critical piece to their success in winning consecutive Super Bowls. However, a fractured fibula derailed him in 2024, and he hasn’t been the same player since.
This season, in particular, has been brutal, as he’s tallied just 329 rushing yards through eight games. Adding just one touchdown to the total, he’s lost the burst that first made him such an integral part of the Kansas City attack.
Things may have taken a turn for the worse in the game against the Commanders. Checking out with a knee injury, he was ruled out for their Week 9 showdown against the Buffalo Bills.
Against one of the worst run defenses in the league, his absence was a significant factor in the team’s loss. Even though he got a week off with the bye, Pacheco remains out of the lineup in Week 11.
After missing all three practices over the week, he was officially declared out against the Broncos. Ranked 33rd on PFSN’s RB Impact, he could have given Patrick Mahomes some respite against the best defense in the league.
On pace to break the all-time sacks record, their pass rush could be formidable, even with Josh Simmons returning to the lineup. Add in the missing Pacheco, and the going could get that much worse for the Chiefs.
Without him in the lineup, Brashard Smith and Kareem Hunt could handle a majority of the ball-carrying duties. However, unlike last week, Clyde Edwards-Helaire has not been elevated off the practice squad this week.
That could signal that Elijah Mitchell, whom the Chiefs brought in this offseason, could be gearing up to make his season debut for the organization.