Just as Isiah Pacheco was heating up, a knee injury forced him out of the Kansas City Chiefs’ game last week, leaving his status for a massive Week 9 showdown in question. Now, with a pivotal AFC clash against the Buffalo Bills looming, all eyes are on Pacheco’s practice participation as the team and fans wait to see if their starting running back can go.
What Is Isiah Pacheco’s Injury Status for the Chiefs’ Week 9 Game?
Pacheco’s preparation for Week 9 began on a concerning note, as he missed practice on both Wednesday and Thursday while dealing with the knee injury. While he has one last chance to practice on Friday, reports suggest that he is unlikely to be ready for the game against the Bills. It was later announced that he suffered an MCL sprain.
“Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco, who left Monday night’s win with a knee injury, is considered week-to-week with an MCL sprain,” according to Tom Pelissero.
While the “week-to-week” designation doesn’t officially rule him out, his lack of practice activity suggests he is a long shot to play. Many around the NFL believe he is expected to be unavailable in Week 9. A return to the field on Friday could improve his chances, but the initial outlook is not promising.
Pacheco did not practice on Friday. Andy Reid provided an update on the running back, and said, “There’s a good chance he’ll be listed as out.”
The good news for Pacheco and the Chiefs is that the injury was not a tear, which often ends a player’s season. The sprain means he is expected to make a full return in the coming weeks. Kansas City has also chosen not to place him on the injured reserve list, which further suggests this is likely a short-term absence.
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If Pacheco is forced to miss this week’s game, Kareem Hunt is expected to be the primary replacement. Hunt currently ranks 18th among running backs on PFSN’s RB Impact Rankings, while Pacheco sits at 33rd. Additionally, Brashard Smith and Elijah Mitchell could see an increase in their workloads.
This potential absence comes at a tough time, as Pacheco had been finding his rhythm in the 2025 NFL season. After a slow start, he has recorded at least 12 carries and 50 rushing yards in each of his past three games, a mark he failed to hit in any of his first five contests this year.
His injury occurred just before a crucial game for the Chiefs in their annual showdown with the Bills. While Buffalo has won the last four regular-season matchups, Kansas City has dominated in the postseason, winning each of its past four playoff meetings.
