Chiefs will need to find balance with Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Ever since shedding their featured operating again and famous energy-giver Isiah Pacheco to a damaged proper leg two months in the past, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs have been getting ready for his return to the lineup.

“It’ll be us attempting to carry him again as a result of he is a man that wishes to be on the market as a lot as doable and he desires to play,” quarterback Patrick Mahomes mentioned.

“On the similar time he desires to win. He is aware of the long-term purpose that we now have. Our purpose is to get him again as rapidly as doable, however at the very best time for him and his physique in order that we are able to have him for the lengthy haul.”

Pacheco’s return is lastly close to and he’ll probably play in Friday’s sport in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium (3 p.m. ET, Prime Video). Coach Andy Reid mentioned earlier within the week that Pacheco would play in opposition to the Raiders so long as he had no setbacks.

Although the Chiefs would welcome his return, his function may very well be clouded by the presence of his alternative, Kareem Hunt, who was signed after Pacheco was positioned on the injured reserve listing. He rapidly took over because the featured again and leads the Chiefs in speeding with 577 yards.

The Chiefs could have an attention-grabbing resolution to make relating to the best way to cut up the enjoying time.

“Each of them are good gamers so we’ll discover a technique to get each of them in,” coach Andy Reid mentioned. “That is drawback to have.”

Reid’s historical past with operating backs since becoming a member of the Chiefs in 2013 provides few clues to his plans. When he has had a again he is comfy with in a featured function, he has tended to offer that participant the vast majority of the work. This listing contains backs corresponding to Jamaal Charles, Spencer Ware, Hunt, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Pacheco.

In 2022, Reid selected Pacheco, then a rookie, over Edwards-Helaire through the season. It was a clear swap, with Pacheco getting many of the enjoying time.

It appears unlikely the Chiefs would make the same resolution and have Pacheco be the featured again with Hunt getting a a lot smaller function. Hunt has been an essential participant of their 10-1 season.

So the Chiefs might wind up splitting the enjoying time in one thing of a 50-50 method.

“Each need the soccer, which is a good factor,” offensive coordinator Matt Nagy mentioned. “They’re actually good after they have the soccer.

“They’re bodily, they’re violent and Pacheco brings that Energizer Bunny mentality of the thrill, the fireplace. You place that along with Kareem, and it’s a nice 1-2 punch. So I feel greater than something, it is simply refreshing to see him on the market.”

Hunt was a transparent No. 1 again in 2017 and 2018 throughout his first stint with the Chiefs. However throughout his 5 seasons with the Cleveland Browns, he usually shared the backfield with Nick Chubb.

“It may very well be very related,” Hunt mentioned. “I am excited. I am used to working with different nice backs so I really feel like it will be one other nice 1-2 punch.

“I am glad for [Pacheco], and I do know he is excited to get again and get on the market.”

It might take a while earlier than a real enjoying sample emerges. The Chiefs are prone to watch out about overburdening Pacheco so quickly after his return. He hasn’t performed since being injured in a Week 2 sport in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Pacheco returned to follow solely two weeks in the past.

“We’ll work him again in when he is prepared … and never attempt to overdo it,” Mahomes mentioned. “He’ll have power, he’ll need to be on the soccer subject, however I feel it is good that we now have room of operating backs in order that we can’t make him go on the market and take 30 carries or no matter it’s.

“We are able to simply type of let him be who he’s and make these massive performs occur after which carry him alongside because the season goes.”