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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (knee) was not seen at practice during the media portion of the session on Thursday. With the team facing the first place Denver Broncos, the Chiefs may be forced to rely on 30-year-old back Kareem Hunt to carry the load if Pacheco remains unavailable. Hunt has flashed his talent this season with 82 touches for 357 yards, and a team-high six touchdowns. Hunt is a popular add for fantasy teams heading into Week 11, and should be considered a must start if Pacheco sits.

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said that running back Isiah Pacheco (knee) will not practice on Wednesday, according to Jesse Newell of The Athletic. The Chiefs are coming off their bye week, but it's looking like Pacheco will be held out for another game in Week 11 against the division-rival Denver Broncos as a precaution. He did not play in the Week 9 loss to the Buffalo Bills, which led to more work for rookie Brashard Smith and Clyde Edwards-Helaire in a change-of-pace role behind veteran Kareem Hunt. In that loss to Buffalo, Hunt handled 11 carries for 49 yards and a touchdown and added one catch for six yards, with Smith and Edwards-Helaire combining for only five rushing attempts. If Pacheco misses his second straight game this weekend, it will be hard to trust Smith or CEH in fantasy lineups, especially against a stout Denver defense.

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid "nudged" that running back Isiah Pacheco (knee) may take more time and might not be ready to return coming out of the bye to face the division-rival Denver Broncos in Week 11, according to Pete Sweeney of Arrowhead Pride. Pacheco sat out of the Week 9 loss to the Buffalo Bills, but at the time, he was expected to be ready to go coming out of the Chiefs' Week 10 bye. The 26-year-old isn't dealing with a serious injury, but KC might just want to play it safe to ensure that they'll have Pacheco at full speed for the final stretch of the regular season. If Pacheco misses a second straight game, veteran Kareem Hunt should once again handle the bulk of the backfield work, with rookie Brashard Smith and Clyde Edwards-Helaire battling for change-of-pace snaps. After playing in only seven regular-season games in 2024 due to injury, Pacheco has disappointed again in 2025, rushing for 329 yards and only one touchdown on 78 carries through eight starts.

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (knee) is expected to return in Week 11, following the team's bye, according to head coach Andy Reid (via CBS Sports' Tracy Wolfson). Pacheco has already been ruled out for Week 9 against the Buffalo Bills, and he'll use the bye week as a little extra time to rest and recover. In the meantime, Kansas City's backfield will be led by Kareem Hunt, while rookie Brashard Smith also figures to get involved. Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Elijah Mitchell round out the running back depth chart. Pacheco should rank as a high-end RB3/flex against the Broncos when he returns.

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (knee) has officially been ruled out of Sunday's marquee matchup with the Bills. The team described Pacheco as week-to-week after an MCL sprain knocked him out of Monday night's win over the Commanders, so the designation comes as no surprise. Kansas City is on a Week 10 bye, so there is a hope that Pacheco could miss only one game, but for as long as he's out, veteran Kareem Hunt is expected to handle the bulk of the team's carries, especially near the goal line. Rookie Brashard Smith is also likely to see an uptick in usage, primarily in third-down and two-minute situations, making him a viable flex option in deeper leagues and PPR formats.

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (knee) is not practicing on Thursday for the second straight day this week, according to Rob Collins of FOX4 Kansas City. Pacheco is considered week-to-week after suffering an MCL sprain late in the win over the Washington Commanders on Monday Night Football. Nothing is official yet, but fantasy managers should not be expecting the 26-year-old to be active for Sunday's road tilt versus the Buffalo Bills, especially with the Chiefs' bye coming next week. The good news for Pacheco is that due to the timing of the bye next week, he could only end up missing one game. With Pacheco likely sidelined this weekend, veteran Kareem Hunt should take over RB1 duties in KC's backfield, with rookie Brashard Smith also seeing an uptick in playing time, putting him on the RB3/flex radar in fantasy football.

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (knee) will not be on the practice field on Wednesday, according to head coach Andy Reid. Pacheco suffered an MCL sprain late in the Monday night win over the Washington Commanders in Week 8 and is considered week-to-week, so it shouldn't be a surprise that he's not practicing. The 26-year-old is unlikely to be active for a Week 9 showdown against the Buffalo Bills, but the good news is that KC will head into their bye in Week 10, so it's possible Pacheco will only end up missing one game. With Pacheco unlikely to be able to play this weekend, veteran Kareem Hunt should take over lead-back duties, with rookie Brashard Smith also having an expanded role and being in play as a flex option for fantasy managers. Pacheco has been a big disappointment in fantasy leagues in 2025, running for 329 yards and just one touchdown on 78 carries over his first eight games.

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (knee) is considered week-to-week after leaving Monday night's win with an MCL sprain. Pacheco was seen on the broadcast laughing with the training staff, so there was hope that he'd avoided serious injury, but it appears that he will miss time. Following a Week 9 matchup with the Bills, Kansas City has a Week 10 bye, so there's a chance Pacheco only misses one game. It's been difficult to fully trust any of the backs in what has become a three-headed Chiefs running back room, but with Pacheco likely sidelined for at least one Sunday, both Kareem Hunt and Brashard Smith become priority waiver adds going into a matchup with a surprisingly susceptible Bills run defense. Hunt is coming off one of his best games of the season and has a lock on the Chiefs' goal line role, while Smith could see increased usage in a game with one of the week's highest projected point totals.

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco will take on the Washington Commanders in Week 8. The Chiefs running back handled 15 carries for 57 yards and a touchdown in their 31-0 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7. Pacheco has seemingly taken over the lead role out of the Kansas City backfield, handling at least 12 carries and 50 yards in each of the past two weeks. Pacheco has quietly been efficient with his touches, averaging at least 4.5 yards per carry in more than half of his games. The struggles of the Kansas City run game early on could more likely be attributed to the inefficiency of Kareem Hunt and the team's dedication to keeping him involved. Pacheco should continue being the lead back this week against the Commanders, who have been middle-of-the-pack in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs this season. The 26-year-old back should see a high volume of touches in a home game that the Chiefs have favored by nearly 12 points. Pacheco is ranked RB23 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a low-end RB2 option on Monday night.

From RotoBaller