The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday to move to 2-0, but lost a key member of the team: star player Isiah Pacheco.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Pacheco fractured his right fibula late in the Chiefs’ 26-25 win and “will miss the actual game.” ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Pacheco will be placed on the injured list, meaning he will miss at least four weeks before he can return. That shouldn’t be a problem for Pacheco, who is reportedly expected to miss six to eight weeks.
Head coach Andy Reid didn’t have much to say about the injury when he spoke to the media after the game. He hadn’t yet spoken to Pacheco, who was still undergoing tests. When Pacheco left the stadium, he was seen wearing a running boot and crutches.
To fill the gaping hole Pacheco leaves in the offense, the Chiefs are reportedly bringing in former running back and current free agent Kareem Hunt for a visit on Tuesday. The Chiefs drafted Hunt in the third round in 2017 and he had a breakout rookie season for them, rushing for over 1,300 yards, making the Pro Bowl and finishing second in AP Offensive Rookie of the Year voting.
The Chiefs released him in November 2018 after video surfaced that allegedly showed Hunt physically pushing and kicking a woman on the ground. He was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list and didn’t play the rest of the 2018 season. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns the following year and played for them after serving an eight-game suspension.
