After dropping the season’s first two games, the Kansas City Chiefs have gotten hot over the last six weeks. They are off to a 5-3 start with a big 28-7 win over the Washington Commanders on Monday Night Football in Week 8.
With the offense firing on all cylinders, the Chiefs seem unstoppable. But a late injury to Isiah Pacheco caused the running back to limp off the field in the fourth quarter. Here’s everything we know about his status.
What Happened to Kansas City Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco?
Pacheco was the leading rusher for the Chiefs against the Commanders on Monday Night Football in Week 8. He had turned 12 carries into 58 yards, breaking off a few double-digit runs.
With four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Pacheco took a handoff for nine yards. However, on the tackle from Jeremy Reaves, Trey Amos hit Pacheco’s knee, causing it to hyperextend quite a bit.
#Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco just limped off of the field after this hit. Got hit right in the knee: pic.twitter.com/W5tSRjVFnd
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) October 28, 2025
The Chiefs have been rotating Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt in a predictable, but frustrating way for fantasy managers. Hopefully, Pacheco is okay. If not, Hunt would take over lead back duties and rookie Brashard Smith would step into the passing down role that Hunt had previously occupied.
We don’t want injuries. Ever. But this would serve to consolidate this backfield a bit. Hunt would be a viable RB2, much like last season when Pacheco was out with a broken fibula.
Hunt is rostered in a decent number of fantasy leagues. Smith would be the more intriguing option, as he would naturally see an increased role and has far more juice than either Pacheco or Hunt. Depending on what news we get on Pacheco on Tuesday, Smith may be a priority waiver wire add.
Pacheco has been okay to start the season, rushing for 271 yards and a touchdown on 66 carries in seven games. Based on PFSN’s RB Impact metric, he is currently the 35th-ranked running back in the league. Hunt and QB Patrick Mahomes have been the ones punching it into the end zone with three and four touchdowns on the ground, respectively.
The offense has hit another gear with wide receiver Rashee Rice returning from suspension. While we will have to wait to see the severity of the injury, some missed time from Pacheco should not be the biggest hindrance to the success of the Chiefs’ offense, given Hunt’s availability and the passing game opening up.