Isiah Pacheco’s Week 12 status sparks panic for fantasy managers—will the Chiefs’ RB return in time to save their lineups?.QQ
The Kansas City Chiefs are preparing for an important Week 12 conference matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. Isiah Pacheco is dealing with a knee injury he sustained three weeks ago before the Chiefs’ bye. Will fantasy football managers get the Chiefs RB back this week?
Isiah Pacheco Injury Update
Pacheco did not practice at all last week and did not play in Sunday’s 22-19 loss to the Denver Broncos. The fourth-year running back out of Rutgers suffered the knee injury on a fourth-quarter carry during the Chiefs’ Week 8 victory over Washington, immediately limping off the field after taking a shot to the knee. He was evaluated by team trainers on the sideline and did not return to the game.
Tests revealed Pacheco had suffered a sprained MCL. The team labeled him as week to week, which typically indicates a multi-week absence rather than a day-to-day situation. The typical recovery period for MCL sprains ranges from 4-6 weeks depending on severity.
Pacheco missed the Week 9 game against the Buffalo Bills before the Chiefs entered their Week 10 bye. The initial expectation was that the bye week would provide sufficient recovery time for Pacheco to return in Week 11. Obviously, that was not the case.
There has been no indication yet from Andy Reid one way or the other about Pacheco’s status for Week 12. The Chiefs are pretty transparent with injuries, so the lack of updates is neither encouraging nor discouraging at this stage. No update has come from the team since early last week when the report emerged that Pacheco wouldn’t play against Denver.
It’s possible Pacheco returns in Week 12, but Week 13 seems more likely given the timeline and lack of practice activity. Wednesday’s practice report will be key in determining whether he has a realistic chance to suit up against Indianapolis.
Pacheco missed nine straight games with a broken leg in 2024, and even when he returned, he was never quite the same. The hope is that this new injury doesn’t turn into another prolonged absence. The Chiefs attempted to address the running back position at the trade deadline by inquiring about New York Jets running back Breece Hall, but they couldn’t get a deal done.
Pacheco’s Fantasy Outlook
With Pacheco sidelined, Kareem Hunt has stepped into the starting role and established himself as the clear lead back. The veteran carried the ball 13 times for 59 yards and a touchdown while catching one of two targets for three yards in Week 11’s loss to Denver. Hunt has now scored a touchdown in three consecutive games.
Hunt played a season high 80% of the snaps against the Broncos, continuing his dominance of the backfield touches. Through 10 games this season, Hunt has compiled 353 rushing yards on 86 carries with six touchdowns. He’s added 10 receptions for 66 yards and another touchdown in the passing game. Hunt has proven capable of handling a featured workload and filled in admirably for Pacheco last season during his recovery from a broken fibula.
The Chiefs have struggled mightily in recent weeks, dropping to 5-5 on the season after losing their second consecutive game. Kansas City is suddenly desperate, having fallen behind the 9-2 Denver Broncos in the AFC West standings. The urgency of their playoff situation may factor into the decision about when to bring Pacheco back.
Seventh-round pick Brashard Smith continues to see minimal involvement despite initial expectations that he would split work with Hunt. Smith caught two of three targets for eight yards in Week 11, continuing his dead-end gimmick role in the offense. Since his 14-carry “coming out party” several weeks ago, Smith has been relegated to gadget duty and doesn’t need to be rostered in most fantasy formats.
Hunt will remain a volume-based RB2 for as long as Pacheco is sidelined.
