The Kansas City Chiefs secured a thrilling 26-25 win against the Cincinnati Bengals, marking their second straight close call against an AFC North rival, although they faced a setback with their main running back’s injury.

Running back Isiah Pacheco participated significantly in the game but was injured late in the match when he was caught between three Bengals players.

He had to leave the field and did not continue playing. The Chiefs had no immediate update on his condition since the injury occurred toward the end of the game, but post-match, he was seen wearing a walking boot and using crutches.

Here are the details regarding Pacheco’s injury:

Update on Isiah Pacheco’s injury

Pacheco’s injury took place shortly after the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter when he was tackled while attempting to gain yards on a first-and-10 play. He was quickly surrounded by Bengals defenders and was bent backward during the tackle.

Following the injury, Pacheco did not return. The Chiefs relied on Samaje Perine and Carson Steele to complete their crucial drive while Pacheco was sidelined.

After the game, Chiefs coach Andy Reid stated that Pacheco had sustained an ankle injury. According to Jesse Newell from the Kansas City Star, Pacheco showed emotions in the locker room but managed to walk on his own.

Nonetheless, ESPN’s Jeff Darlington reported that Pacheco left the stadium with crutches and in a walking boot. He is scheduled to undergo multiple tests on Monday to assess the injury’s severity.

Who backs up Isiah Pacheco on the Chiefs’ roster?

The Chiefs have two running backs listed behind Pacheco on their 53-man roster: Samaje Perine and Carson Steele. Perine, an experienced eight-year player, serves as Pacheco’s main backup, while Steele, a rookie who was not drafted, has taken on some running assignments while playing as a fullback.

If Pacheco is unable to play due to his injury, Perine is expected to take on most of the passing-down responsibilities, while between-the-tackles runs will be split more evenly. It’s notable that Steele carried the ball seven times for 19 yards against the Bengals, whereas Perine’s single touch consisted of a 3-yard reception.

Statistics for Isiah Pacheco

Pacheco had a strong performance in Week 2 against the Bengals, accumulating 90 rushing yards on 19 attempts and catching 5 passes for 25 yards. Most of his carries resulted in positive yardage, but his longest play was only a 13-yard reception.

He significantly improved his rushing performance compared to the Chiefs’ season opener, where he managed just 45 yards on 15 carries. Pacheco scored his only touchdown of the 2024 season in that game.

Last season, he rushed for a total of 935 yards and scored seven touchdowns on 205 carries, marking personal bests in all categories.