The Chiefs were able to stay undefeated for the first 10 weeks of the season despite multiple key injuries, but they lost last week to the Bills. They’ll look to avoid a two-game losing streak this Sunday as they head to Carolina to face the Panthers, and it looks like they’ll get a boost with the return of starting RB Isiah Pacheco ($6,200), who has been out since Week 2 after needing surgery to repair his right fibula. Kareem Hunt ($5,700) has stepped up while Pacheco has been out, and it’ll be fascinating to see how the timeshare plays out the rest of the season.
The latest updates on Pacheco’s status
On Tuesday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said Pacheco was expected to return this week against the Panthers.
From @NFLGameDay: A regime change could be coming for the #Jaguars, while the #Chiefs are anticipating a quick return for standout RB Isiah Pacheco. pic.twitter.com/CwIH0vWHyP
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 17, 2024
On Wednesday, coach Andy Reid wouldn’t commit to Pacheco returning but did say he would practice and is eager to return.
Andy Reid wouldn’t commit to Omenihu and Pacheco playing Sunday at Carolina, saying, “We’ll see on both of those two.”
— Adam Teicher (@adamteicher) November 20, 2024
Pacheco’s possible return
Isiah Pacheco is expected to share the backfield in some way with Kareem Hunt whenever he is ready to return. Hunt joined the team in Week 4 while Pacheco was sidelined, so we haven’t seen what the offense will look like with both available.
Hunt had 20+ carries in four straight games and scored five touchdowns during that span before getting slightly less work in Week 10 vs. the Broncos and Week 11 vs. the Bills in very close games.
Reid said that when Pacheco returns, the team will look to work both running backs into the mix and stated it’s a “good problem to have.” While that’s definitely true for the Chiefs as a team, it doesn’t help the fantasy value for either of the two players to have to share work.
Before his injury, Pacheco was clearly the lead back and a focus of the offense. He had over 15 fantasy points in each of his games and looked to be one of the most stable options at the position. However, with Hunt in the mix, that could change moving forward.
The Chiefs’ offense puts up enough points and produces enough rushing attempts that both backs could be fantasy factors coming down the stretch, but it may be tricky to predict who will get the work and the touchdowns from week-to-week.
What to do in Week 12
If the Chiefs opt to hold Pacheco out this week with a short week before their Week 13 matchup on Black Friday vs. the Raiders, Hunt would be a must-start vs. the Panthers. That may be the most simple scenario.
Carolina has been the most generous defense in the NFL to opposing running backs this season, giving up 16 running back touchdowns and an average of over 160 rushing plus receiving yards per game to the position.
In such a fantasy-friendly matchup, both running backs will have value, but Pacheco will remain high-risk unless we can be sure how much he will play. He could be eased back into the mix, especially with the short week and if Hunt finds success.
In DFS contests like the NFL $2.5M Fantasy Football Millionaire [$1M to 1st], Pacheco is a high-risk play at over $6,000. If possible to wait to start him in season-long leagues, I’d recommend going with another option if possible this week to see how ready he is to resume his RB1 role.
Even though he’s high-risk, he does have home-run potential in such a great matchup, making him a boom-or-bust option this week if cleared to return. Can you start him if he’s ready to return? Definitely. Should you? Probably not, unless you’re desperate.
The verdict: Wait to start Isiah Pacheco if possible
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