Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco was one of the best stories in the NFL last season. One year later, the reigning Super Bowl champion is off to a more challenging start this summer.
Pacheco was the 251st overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, facing long odds of making the roster. However, the 5-foot-10 running back quickly stood out at Chiefs’ practices, generating significant buzz during OTAs and then standing out has one of the best players in training camp.
- Isiah Pacheco stats (2022): 830 rushing yards, 4.9 yards per carry, five rushing touchdowns in 17 games
Pacheco only had a minor role in the first half of last season. From Weeks 2-9, he only received 32 combined carries and turned them into 135 rushing yards (4.22 yards per carry). From Weeks 10-17, the rookie averaged 5.02 yards per carry with 633 rushing yards and received 20.2 touches per game.
He proved to be just as important during Kansas City’s run to the Super Bowl. In a 27-20 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Pacheco turned 13 touches into 101 scrimmage yards. Facing the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl, Pacheco rushed for 76 yards with a touchdown.
- Isiah Pacheco advanced stats: 4.8 true yards per carry (10th in NFL), 4.7 percent breakaway run rate (27th in NFL), 14.8 percent juke rate (51st in NFL)
During that playoff run, Pacheco broke his hand during the AFC Championship Game and managed to play through it. He received offseason surgery to repair it and to address a torn labrum in his shoulder. As a result, it’s cost him significant time on the practice field during training camp.
According to James Palmer of NFL Network, Pacheco is expected to be cleared for full contact by Aug. 20. The hand is perfectly fine, but Kansas City has held him out due to a shoulder issue that the medical staff needs to clear before he returns.
Impact of Isiah Pacheco injury on Kansas City Chiefs backfield
Pacheco’s injury has opened up the door for someone with a similar story to his. Running back Deneric Prince went undrafted in 2023 and signed with Kansas City this spring. The 6-foot running back has already stood out to coaches and reports at camp for his pass-catching skills. He’s also flashed impressive ability as a runner between the tackles. Despite being an undrafted rookie, Prince has already earned a spot on the 53-man roster.
That’s not to suggest that Prince could overtake Pacheco on the Chiefs’ depth chart. Nate Taylor of The Athletic previously wrote that Pacheco will be the starting running back this season and is expected to receive a larger role. However, Prince is pushing his way into a role.
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Looking at the Chiefs’ backfield heading into the 2023 season, Pacheco projects to be the early-down back who will receive 200-plus carries this season and lead the team in rushing touchdowns. If Prince keeps standing out, he could challenge Jerick McKinnon for snaps as Kansas City’s top pass-catching back.