After the Kansas City Chiefs victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, running back Isiah Pacheco left the game on the final drive. What was once hopeful his injury was to his ankle has turned into a bone fracture that will need time to heal.
Despite being 2-0 on the young season, the Kansas City Chiefs offense sustains significant injuries. Later Monday, Hollywood Brown is scheduled for surgery to repair his sternoclavicular joint dislocation, which will keep him out until January.
Per @IanRapport, Chiefs Running Back Isua Pacheco fractured his fibula, which will keep him out for weeks. Though he might not need surgery, it appears the Chiefs starting running back will miss weeks as he recovers from the fracture.
He left the stadium last night on crutches and a walking boot. Many have reported that he was distraught in the locker room and received support from his coaches and teammates after the Chiefs win.
So what do the Chiefs do now at running back?
They do have several options if they want to expand the running back room. Jerrick McKinnon and Dalvin Cook are free agents, or the Chiefs could promote from within, but that’s unlikely. Emani Bailey and Keaontay Ingram might not be ready for spot duty.
It would appear the Chiefs will rely heavily on newcomers Samaje Perine and rookie Carson Steele. Combined, I think they can replace Pacheco’s production, but they’ll both need to elevate their game.
For Perine, he’s played very little for the Chiefs so far, and at the end of the game, Steele, who fumbled in the second quarter, carried the ball on the final two snaps. That tells me he could be the starter on Sunday Night in Atlanta.
Either way, this is another devastating blow to the Chiefs’ offense. However, they have won back-to-back Super Bowls because they count on the next man up to play as well as or better than the warrior they replace on the field.
