The Kansas City Chiefs are getting healthy at the right time. The AFC West-leading team has activated running back Isiah Pacheco from Injured Reserve.
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The Chiefs made the roster move on Thursday. This means that Pacheco is in line to suit up against the rival Raiders on Black Friday. He will make his first start since a Week 2 win over the Bengals. This is the game in which he fractured his fibula.
The third-year running back had opportunities to return to the lineup the last two weeks. He originally returned to practice ahead of a Week 11 loss to the Bills, but head coach Andy Reid held him out for the pivotal AFC game.
Week 12's game against the Panthers was the next opportunity for the Chiefs to activate Pacheco and get him back on the field. The team chose not to make the roster move. Now, however, Pacheco is in line to face off with the Raiders in Friday's lone game.
Pacheco has faced off with the Raiders four times in his career. He has yet to top 65 rushing yards against the Silver and Black, but he has scored four touchdowns. This includes a two-touchdown game on Nov. 26, 2023. The Chiefs won 31-17.
A seventh-round pick in 2022, Pacheco was the workhorse in Kansas City in his first two seasons. He rushed for 830 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie and then added 935 yards and seven touchdowns as a sophomore.
The Chiefs have relied on a veteran option while Pacheco has remained on Injured Reserve. Kareem Hunt, who joined the team after Pacheco's injury, has rushed for 577 yards and five touchdowns. He has added another 135 yards as a receiving option out of the backfield.
Rookie Carson Steele has provided some plays as well. He has rushed 48 times for 158 yards. He has yet to score a touchdown in the NFL regular season.
