With every passing day, the likelihood of the Kansas City Chiefs being without one of their top offensive threats on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills continuously increases. Per ESPN’s Adam Telcher, Chiefs starting running back Isiah Pacheco missed practice on Friday and is in danger of sitting out in Week 14.
Isiah Pacheco is again absent from practice field now as Chiefs complete their practice week. Looking more like he won't play against Bills on Sunday.
— Adam Teicher (@adamteicher) December 8, 2023
Pacheco has missed this week’s practice leading up to their epic showdown with the Bills on Sunday. Additionally, Pacheco got the boot in last Sunday’s contest for throwing a punch late in the fourth quarter.
Isiah Pacheco: Running Strong in 2023
Pacheco, a seventh-round draft pick in the 2022 NFL draft, has had a strong season, rushing 176 times for 779 yards and six scores. He has also caught 33 passes for 209 yards and a touchdown. Despite the Chiefs’ disappointing 27-19 loss in Week 13, the lead back scampered for 110 yards and a score on 18 attempts.
The Rutgers product had a fantastic rookie season last year, taking 170 carries for 830 yards and five touchdowns. Kansas City leaned heavily on Pacheco during the postseason, with him receiving 37 carries in three games. He ran for 197 yards and a touchdown while catching six passes. Pacheco ran 15 times for 76 yards and scored in his team’s 38-35 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl.
Kansas City Chiefs: Running Back Plans if Pacheco Can’t Go
Kansas City will deploy the running back duo of Jerick McKinnon and Clyde Edwards-Helaire if Pacheco lands on the shelf. McKinnon missed last week’s game with a groin injury but has practiced in full leading up to this Sunday’s contest. The 31-year-old is undergoing a disappointing season after registering ten touchdowns in 2022. The pass-catching back has just 185 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns this season.
Meanwhile, Edwards-Helaire, a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft, has become a depth piece in recent years. He has just 40 carries for 140 yards and one touchdown this season. His rushing yardage totals have decreased every season since entering the league in 2020.
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