Most of the conversation about the Kansas City Chiefs’ 28-7 win over the Washington Commanders was about their split personality in this game, as the Chiefs recovered nicely from a turnover-plagued first half to thump the Commanders. The rebound wasn’t all flowers and accolades, though, as running back Isiah Pacheco reportedly sustained a sprained MCL when he limped off the field after taking a hard hit to his leg in the fourth quarter.
Pacheco is now considered week-to-week, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Media via Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk, and the injury marred the best performance of the season as he finished the victory with 58 yards in 12 carries.
Chiefs fans keep waiting for Pacheco to emerge as a genuine lead back, but he’s been solid rather than spectacular. He came to camp healthy after offseason surgery to repair a fractured leg, and Pacheco showed much of the burst and quickness that makes him so tantalizing at times.
He’s rushed for 329 yards for 4.2 yards a carry this year, which isn't nothing. But Pacheco has spent much of the season behind quarterback Patrick Mahomes as the team's rushing leader, and it was only a couple of weeks ago that Mahomes finally relinquished that lead as his receivers returned to the lineup. Mahomes is still tied with fullback Kareem Hunt with four touchdowns, but Pacheco has been effective in a dual-threat role, catching 11 passes for 43 yards and a touchdown.
Hunt had two TDs last night against the Commanders, and while it’s easy to assume that he'll take on a larger role, that probably won’t happen. Hunt is 30, and he’s really not big enough to take on the role of a lead back, plus the Chiefs value his presence enough to moderate his ongoing workload.
The other running backs are Brassard Smith and Elijah Mitchell, but they’re not the answer, either. Smith has been taking on a large role with each successive game, and while he has had some success here and there, he's a rookie who is still being developed. Mitchell is considered a depth piece, but he could see more time as the Chiefs attempt to fill in.
One sure result of this injury is that it will fire up the rumor mill with the trade deadline looming. The Chiefs have been connected to a lot of backs, most prominently running back Alvin Kamara of the New Orleans Saints, but those rumors have been mostly smoke with no real fire yet. If Pacheco’s recovery is slow, though, Kansas City may have no choice when it comes to adding a quality back.