By Nate Taylor, Dianna Russini and Larry Holder
The Kansas City Chiefs will be without running back Isiah Pacheco for the foreseeable future after he sustained a fractured fibula in his leg during the team’s dramatic Week 2 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, team sources confirmed Monday. It’s expected Pacheco will end up on injured reserve, which would keep him off the field for at least the next four games.
Pacheco played nearly the entire game, with his last carry coming on the first play after the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter, leading up to the Chiefs’ game-winning field goal. He left Arrowhead Stadium on crutches with a protective boot covering his right foot.
Kansas City’s depth at the running back position has been a concern since the start of their training camp. With this being the first significant injury in Pacheco’s career, the Chiefs will likely have to rely on rookie fullback Carson Steele and seven-year veteran Samaje Perine, who joined the team just two weeks ago.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, the four-year veteran, will miss at least the next two games after Kansas City placed him on the non-football illness list before their season opener. Edwards-Helaire missed a sizable portion of camp and the preseason with what the team described as an illness.
During camp, Edwards-Helaire shared his experience with post-traumatic stress disorder. He also has been diagnosed with cyclic vomiting syndrome, a chronic condition in which people can experience cycles of severe nausea, vomiting and exhaustion that can last from a few hours to a few days.
If the Chiefs want to sign a veteran, one option is Jerick McKinnon, who was an instrumental member of the offense the past two seasons as an above-average third-down back.
Pacheco tallied 90 rushing yards on 19 carries and caught five passes for 21 yards before exiting the game with the injury. On the season, he has racked up 135 rushing yards and one touchdown on 34 carries along with seven receptions for 54 yards.
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(Photo: Kevin Sabitus / Getty Images)
