Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (rest) is officially listed as questionable for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders after being limited in practice all week. Meanwhile, fellow RB Kareem Hunt (illness) practiced in full on Friday and was removed from the final injury report. Hunt missed the first two practices of the week. The Chiefs have nothing left to play for, so they could opt to rest Pacheco in the final game of the season. Pacheco began to see more work than Hunt in recent weeks, but with him potentially being rested in Week 18, fantasy managers would be smart to stay away. If Pacheco doesn't play this weekend, he'll finish his fourth year in the NFL with 118 carries for 462 yards and one touchdown on the ground in 13 games, adding 19 receptions for 101 yards and one more TD on 16 targets.
Jan 2, 2026 5:42 PM EST
Across 13 games this season, Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco has recorded 563 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 137 touches. The 26-year-old has not recorded more than 34 rushing yards in a game or scored a rushing touchdown since Week 8. However, Pacheco maintains a consistent role in the Kansas City offense, averaging over 11 touches per game over the last three weeks. Pacheco appears to have wrestled the RB1 role for the Chiefs away from fellow back Kareem Hunt, as he's earned double the touches of Hunt over that same three-game period. Kansas City has been consistently chasing points during its ongoing five-game losing streak, which limits opportunities to run the football. However, the Chiefs could have a chance to play with a lead in their Week 18 matchup against the lowly Las Vegas Raiders. In fantasy leagues with 10 or more teams, Pacheco could be a running back worth targeting on the waiver wire heading into Week 18.
Dec 29, 2025 10:20 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco has seemingly reclaimed his leadback role in the backfield, but it comes when the team turns to Chris Oladokun to be the starting quarterback. Pacheco rushed eight times for 34 yards, but the most surprising part of his stat line came in the receiving game. The 26-year-old was targeted a team-high seven times and caught six passes for 41 yards in last week's loss to the Tennessee Titans. The scoring opportunities will likely be few and far between for Pacheco, but once Oladokun stepped in as the starter, the running backs were targeted six times out of 16 attempts, and five of those went in Pacheco's direction. Pacheco will also have to deal with the Denver Broncos defense in Week 17. The Broncos have allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs and the second-fewest rushing yards per game this season. Pacheco is ranked RB37 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him an RB3/Flex option for the fantasy playoffs. It could be an ugly game for Pacheco, but he should get enough opportunities to be worth considering.
Dec 24, 2025 4:00 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco took back over as the lead back for the Chiefs this week, stepping in ahead of veteran Kareem Hunt and taking eight carries for 34 yards while adding six catches for 41 yards in the team's loss to the Titans last week. Pacheco could be in for a heavy workload moving forward, since the team could phase out Hunt now that the playoffs are no longer a possibility. The team could take the next two weeks to evaluate Pacheco and rookie Brashard Smith for their future roles, but Pacheco is in a brutal matchup this week against the Broncos, who have been elite against the run. Pacheco does have touchdown-dependent upside and should get a good workload, but he's still a long-shot flex play to add off the waiver wire this week due to the matchup.
Dec 23, 2025 9:20 AM EST
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco played his highest snap count since returning from injury in Week 15. He led the Chiefs in carries last week but was inefficient, totaling just 21 yards on 11 carries. With quarterback Patrick Mahomes done for the season with a torn ACL, the Chiefs' offense could struggle, making it even more difficult for Pacheco to be a consistent fantasy starter. The Chiefs rank 15th in scoring offense with the two-time MVP as their quarterback. Now, they switch to Gardner Minshew, which is a clear downgrade from Mahomes. While an easy matchup against the Tennessee Titans could catapult Pacheco to FLEX territory, he's still tough to trust with Kareem Hunt in the picture and the Chiefs' offense likely to regress.
Dec 19, 2025 8:52 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco led the backfield in the Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Pacheco handled 11 carries for 21 yards and did not earn a single target. The 26-year-old supplanted Kareem Hunt as the back with the most opportunities, but Pacheco only averaged 1.9 yards per carry with those opportunities. That said, he should retain the lead role in Week 16 against the Tennessee Titans. The Titans have allowed the 11th-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season, so Pacheco should have an easier time finding success on the ground. The Chiefs could also lean on the run game more with Patrick Mahomes out for the season. Minshew will step into the lead role at quarterback, which could decrease the overall efficiency of the offense. So, Pacheco may end up getting more work, but the scoring opportunities could be less frequent. Pacheco is ranked RB40 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a low-end flex option this week.
Dec 19, 2025 4:39 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco handled nine carries for 30 yards in last week's 10-20 loss to the Houston Texans. In his second game back from injury, Pacheco's opportunities ticked up closer to Kareem Hunt, who handled 12 carries in the contest. Pacheco looked like the best back in the backfield before his knee injury, so the team may prefer to lean on him more as he gets healthier. Pacheco will have a chance to surpass Hunt this week against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers defense has been middle-of-the-pack in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs this season, meaning that it should not be a difficult matchup for Pacheco. That said, splitting carries with Hunt in a divisional matchup could be a difficult situation to succeed in. Pacheco is ranked RB48 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a difficult player to trust until he shows more upside.
Dec 12, 2025 4:18 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco only handled three carries for 16 yards in last week's loss to the Dallas Cowboys, but he should handle more work this week. The 26-year-old returned from his knee injury in Week 13, which explains his light workload, but his playing time should increase against the tough Houston defense in Week 14. The Texans defense has allowed the 10th-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs this season, making it a tough spot for Pacheco amid a split backfield. Pacheco also popped up on the injury report with a knee injury, but was a full participant in practice all week and is good to go for the weekend. The second-year back was pulling away with the lead role before his injury, so the split could lean in his direction eventually, but it is difficult to say when that might be. Pacheco is ranked RB46 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a tough player to start this week.
Dec 6, 2025 5:03 AM EST
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco returned in last week's Thanksgiving Day loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday for the first time since Week 8 due to a knee injury. It wasn't a triumphant return for the 26-year-old, as he played a season-low 30% of the snaps and had a season-low three rushing attempts for 16 yards while grabbing both of his targets for an additional 17 yards. Pacheco played well ahead of rookie Brashard Smith, but it's clear that veteran Kareem Hunt has solidified his role as KC's preferred RB, even in goal-line situations. Fantasy managers can hold out hope that Pacheco is more involved in the coming weeks as he puts his knee injury in the rearview mirror, but at no point in 2025 has he looked deserving of a bigger workload. Pacheco has yet to top 60 rushing yards in nine games, and he should be left on benches in Week 14 against the Texans and their No. 1 defense.
Dec 5, 2025 8:08 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (knee) doesn't have an injury designation heading into Thanksgiving's game against the Dallas Cowboys. Pacheco has missed three straight games since suffering an MCL sprain during Kansas City's Week 8 win over the Washington Commanders. The 26-year-old logged three full practices this week, and it will be interesting to see how the running back touches will be distributed in his return on Thursday. Kareem Hunt has handled a big workload in Pacheco's absence, and just recorded a career high 30 carries in last week's win over the Indianapolis Colts. Rookie Brashard Smith has held a small role, mostly on designed touches. Pacheco was the Chiefs' leading rusher before getting injured, but he will likely be eased back into action and split touches with Hunt. He is ranked as RotoBaller's RB41 in PPR leagues for Thanksgiving's game against the Cowboys.
Nov 27, 2025 12:13 AM EST
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco has been sidelined for multiple weeks with a knee injury, but he got in three full practices this week and will return to face the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day. The last time we saw Pacheco on the field was in Week 8 against the Washington Commanders. In that game, Pacheco was the team's leading rusher with 12 carries for 58 yards. The 26-year-old seemed to be carving out a larger role in the backfield before he went down to injury, so it will be interesting to see how involved he is on Thursday. Pacheco will take on the Cowboys, who have allowed the 12th-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. That statistic may be encouraging, but it is worth noting that Dallas acquired star DT Quinnen Williams at the trade deadline, and his impact cannot be overlooked. Kareem Hunt handled the lion's share of opportunities in Pacheco's absence, carrying the ball 30 times in last week's win over the Colts. It is unclear if fantasy managers will be able to trust Pacheco in his first game back, but this Thanksgiving matchup is tied for the highest total of the week, meaning there should be plenty of points scored. Pacheco is ranked RB39 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a RB3/Flex option this week.
Nov 26, 2025 4:31 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (knee) is set to return for Thursday's matchup against the Dallas Cowboys after missing the past three games. Pacheco suffered a sprained MCL during Kansas City's Week 8 win over Washington, but was listed as a full participant in Monday's estimated injury report and will play on Thanksgiving. The 26-year-old should slide back into a timeshare with veteran Kareem Hunt, who could see a lighter workload in Week 13 after handling a career high 30 carries in a Week 12 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Pacheco had middling fantasy production before going down, recording 78 carries for 329 yards and one touchdown while adding 11 catches (17 targets) for 43 yards and another score as a receiver in eight games, averaging 7.5 PPR points per game. He will rank as a low-end RB3/flex option for Thursday's matchup against the Cowboys.
Nov 25, 2025 1:32 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (knee) is targeting a return to the lineup this Thursday against the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day in Week 13, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Pacheco has been out with a sprained MCL in his knee since Week 8 (he's missed the last three games), but he was listed as a full participant on Monday's estimated injury report and looks to be trending in the right direction to suit up in Dallas. Veteran Kareem Hunt, who had a season-high 30 carries for 104 rushing yards and a touchdown in Sunday's overtime win over the Indianapolis Colts, should continue to be KC's preferred option out of the backfield against the Cowboys, making the 26-year-old Pacheco not much more than a shaky, low-upside, touchdown-dependent RB3/flex for fantasy managers. When healthy, Pacheco's volume has taken a hit in 2025, and he has only 329 rushing yards and one TD in his eight games played.
Nov 24, 2025 11:37 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (knee) was listed as a full participant on Monday on the team's estimated injury report, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Pacheco was listed as a full participant last Wednesday as well, before being limited on Thursday and Friday. The 26-year-old was then ruled inactive for the third straight game in Sunday's overtime win over the Indianapolis Colts. One would think that Pacheco is on his way to being active in Week 13 on Thursday against the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day, but he might need another full practice to be cleared. Pacheco has missed the team's last three games and figures to have a secondary role alongside Kareem Hunt and rookie Brashard Smith if he's active in Week 13, making him a low-upside, touchdown-dependent RB3/flex for fantasy managers. Hunt had 30 carries on Sunday and went over 100 yards rushing with a TD against Indy.
Nov 24, 2025 8:05 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (knee) has been ruled out of Sunday's matchup with the Colts, making this his third straight missed game after spraining his MCL in a Week 8 win over the Commanders. Pacheco had been listed as a full participant in Wednesday's practice, giving fantasy managers hope that he could return this week. He unfortunately followed that up with limited participation on Thursday and has been ruled out on Friday. In his absence, veteran running back Kareem Hunt has averaged 12 carries for 54 yards, while scoring a touchdown in both games to bring his streak up to three straight. The 8-2 Colts have been below-average against fantasy running backs, keeping Hunt in play as a TD-dependent flex option. Rookie Brashard Smith will remain limited in the RB2 role behind Hunt.
Nov 21, 2025 2:41 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (knee) is practicing again on Friday, according to The Kansas City Star's Pete Sweeney. Pacheco, who has missed the team's last two games due to a right-knee injury, was a full practice participant on Wednesday before being downgraded to limited on Thursday. The 26-year-old has been wearing a bulky brace on his knee this week. Pacheco being back at practice on Friday suggests that his downgrade to limited on Thursday was more maintenance-related than an actual setback. KC's backfield will become even messier if Pacheco returns this weekend against the Colts, although veteran Kareem Hunt will likely maintain his role as the Chiefs' preferred goal-line option. Between sharing touches with Hunt and rookie Brashard Smith and not seeing goal-line looks, Pacheco has become a low-upside RB3/flex for fantasy managers. He comes into Week 12 with 329 rushing yards and only one touchdown on 79 rushing attempts.
Nov 21, 2025 1:43 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (knee) was listed as a limited participant in practice on Thursday due to a knee injury that has kept him out of the team's last two games. Pacheco was listed as a full-go on Wednesday, so it remains to be seen if he'll be cleared to play this Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. The 26-year-old has been wearing a bulky brace on his right knee in his return to practice this week. It's unclear if he suffered a setback on Thursday or if he is being rested by KC, but we should have a clearer picture of his Week 12 status on Friday. Fantasy managers shouldn't be feeling great about Pacheco's value coming off a two-game absence if he ends up being cleared to face the Colts. Pacheco's upside has been limited this year with veteran Kareem Hunt serving as the team's preferred goal-line option. If he plays against Indy, Pacheco will be a touchdown-dependent RB3/flex, at best.
Nov 20, 2025 5:33 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (knee) is practicing again on Thursday after being listed as a full participant in Wednesday's session, per Matt McMullen of Chiefs.com. Pacheco hasn't played since suffering a knee injury during the Chiefs' win over the Washington Commanders in Week 8. Before getting injured, the 26-year-old led the backfield with a 56.8% snap share, recording 78 carries for 329 yards and one touchdown to go along with 11 receptions (17 targets) for 43 yards and another score as a receiver in eight games. Pacheco's status for Week 12 against the Colts will be known in the days to come, but stacking together multiple days of full practices would be a good sign for his chances to suit up.
Nov 20, 2025 3:06 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said that running back Isiah Pacheco (knee) will return to practice on Wednesday, according to Matt McMullen of Chiefs.com. While Pacheco isn't a lock to play in a Week 12 showdown against the Indianapolis Colts, the fact that he's back at practice is a good sign for his availability. The 26-year-old hasn't played since Week 8 and was unable to return coming out of a bye to face the division-rival Denver Broncos last Sunday. Injuries have stunted Pacheco's progress over the last two years, and in eight games in 2025, he's gone for only 329 rushing yards and one touchdown on 78 carries, adding 11 receptions for 43 yards and another score. Pacheco will have a role in KC's backfield when he returns, but Kareem Hunt will remain a thorn in his side as the team's preferred goal-line option.
Nov 19, 2025 1:23 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (knee) has officially been ruled out for his team's Week 11 matchup against the Denver Broncos, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. This will mark Pacheco's second straight missed game after he suffered an MCL sprain in Week 8. Without him, Kansas City will likely turn to veteran running back Kareem Hunt to handle the majority of their backfield work. Hunt recorded 11 carries for 49 yards and a touchdown in Week 9 against the Buffalo Bills with Pacheco sidelined. Rookie running back Brashard Smith could mix in as well, but Smith earned just four touches against Buffalo. Hunt profiles as a borderline RB2/high-end flex option for fantasy managers in Week 11. Pacheco should have a chance to return to the field in Week 12 when the Chiefs host the Indianapolis Colts.
Nov 14, 2025 3:54 PM EST
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