Isiah Pacheco hasn’t played since Week 2 due to a leg injury, but the back is expected to be designated to return off IR, which will open Pacheco’s 21-day practice window, per FOX’s Jordan Schultz. This news comes day after Chiefs’ HC Andy Reid told the media that Pacheco is “very close” to returning. While Pacheco’s status for this Sunday’s matchup with the Bills has yet to be determined, the back feels likely to make his return for that game or in Week 12 vs. the Panthers.
Before getting hurt, Pacheco led the Chiefs with 17 carries per game in the first two weeks of the season, which was 79.1% of Kansas City’s running back attempts. However, Hunt wasn’t with the team then and the Chiefs went out and signed the veteran when their ground game struggled initially after Pacheco went down.
Since re-joining Kansas City in Week 4, Hunt has been the Chiefs’ featured back, averaging 20.8 carries per game, while logging 58.8% of the snaps. Given Hunt has been decent with 3.6 YPC and he has yet to fumble, the veteran should continue to see work even when Pacheco returns.
Reid has deployed multiple back systems in the past and a timeshare with Hunt and Pacheco splitting the backfield work pretty evenly should be the expectation initially. Then, after Pacheco gets a few games under his belt, he should re-take his role as the Chiefs’ top rusher, with Hunt playing a secondary role.
All in all, Pacheco’s return does hurt Hunt’s fantasy value, especially in the long run, but Hunt still has value in the immediate future and is a viable FLEX play for the next few weeks.
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