Reinforcements are coming for Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Running back Isiah Pacheco is expected to play Friday against the Las Vegas Raiders, head coach Andy Reid announced.
Pacheco has been on injured reserve after suffering a fractured fibula in Week 2. He rushed for 135 yards and a touchdown prior to his injury.
The 25-year-old’s return is a welcome site for the Chiefs, who have been ravaged by injuries on offence this season, particularly at wide receiver. Rashee Rice suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 4, while wideouts Skyy Moore and Juju Smith-Schuster have also missed time.
Isiah Pacheco and Charles Omenihu will play for the Chiefs on Friday against the Raiders as long as they don't have any setbacks, Andy Reid said.
— Adam Teicher (@adamteicher) November 27, 2024
Pacheco, a seventh-round pick in 2022, was expected to be a bell-cow back for the Chiefs after rushing for 925 yards and seven touchdowns last season in only 14 games. Kansas City brought back RB Kareem Hunt in Week 4 to ease the burden until Pacheco’s return.
Hunt has 577 yards and five touchdowns on the ground this season and is expected to remain involved in the game plan.
“We’ll find a way,” said Reid on Nov. 20 about getting Hunt involved once Pacheco returns. “Both of them are good players. We’ll find a way to get both of them in if and when that takes place.
“That’s a good problem to have.”
On the other side of the ball, the reigning back-to-back Super Bowl champions are also getting pass rusher Charles Omenihu back Friday vs. the Raiders. He tore his ACL in the AFC Championship game last season.
In 11 games in 2023, Omenihu recorded a career-high seven sacks. The 27-year-old has 18.5 in his career.
After the Black Friday matchup, the Chiefs host another divisional rival, the Los Angeles Chargers, on Dec. 8.
