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The Kansas City Chiefs provided a Week 11 injury update on running back Isiah Pacheco.

As Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid addressed the media ahead of a crucial Week 11 matchup versus the division rival Denver Broncos, injury update news on running back Isiah Pacheco was an immediate topic of discussion. Unfortunately, Reid was notably cryptic when it came to his starting half-back.

“I’ll have to see on Pacheco,” the Chiefs HC replied, after being asked if he expects to see the RB back in practice this week.

This stood out as a tad bit concerning, considering Reid said that right tackle Jawaan Taylor would “probably be okay” to practice in the same Q&A response.

The KC Star’s Pete Sweeney had the same read on the situation on November 10, reporting: “Reid nudged that RB Isiah Pacheco (knee) may take more time, while RT Jawaan Taylor (ankle) felt OK by the time he returned from Buffalo.”

Pacheco’s injury was initially thought to be minor. With the bye upcoming after Week 9, many believed he’d be ready to go by Week 11.

Needless to say, his potential absence at practice is surprising and not what you want to hear if you’re a Chiefs fan.

Pacheco missed nine straight games with injury in 2024, and even when he returned, he was never the same. The hope is that this new injury doesn’t turn into another prolonged absence.

Chiefs’ Trade Deadline Decision Is Under the Microscope After Andy Reid’s Week 11 Injury Update on Isiah Pacheco

This Chiefs news involving Pacheco calls attention to a curious trade deadline decision by general manager Brett Veach.

According to different NFL insiders at the time, Kansas City had an offer on the table for New York Jets star running back Breece Hall, but elected not to meet their asking price. The Jets wanted a third-round pick for Hall, per SNY’s Connor Hughes, and the Chiefs supposedly countered with a fourth-round pick.

That wasn’t enough to entice the Jets to get a deal done, however, and Hall stayed put.

The Hall negotiations were leaked, but who knows how many discussions KC had at running back. All fans know is that Veach struck out at the deadline, and with Pacheco still banged up as of Week 11, that’s not good enough for a contingent of Chiefs Kingdom.

“Perhaps if Pacheco ‘needs more time’ then we should’ve traded for a superstar running back when the asking price is only a 3rd round pick,” one fan commented under Sweeney’s report.

Another responded: “Even if Pacheco came back, he’s one hit from re-injuring his knee which is why not giving a third for Hall was a huge mistake.”

Finally, one less optimistic supporter wrote: “So, reading between the lines, it sounds like Pacheco will be out this week and hopefully back for Indy, but most likely the Thanksgiving game vs Dallas.”

Clearly, Chiefs fans are frustrated with Veach for this missed opportunity.

Chiefs Trust Clyde Edwards-Helaire More Than Elijah Mitchell

With Pacheco out in Week 10, the Chiefs elevated veteran Clyde Edwards-Helaire from the practice squad, choosing to dress him over 2025 free agent signing Elijah Mitchell.

Mitchell has not received many opportunities with Kansas City during his inaugural season, and Reid all but confirmed that the Chiefs simply trust Edwards-Helaire more with Pacheco sidelined.

“Clyde, he knows all the [pass] protections… [and] not only does he know it, he’s done it. So, we’ve seen him do it [and] there’s a comfort there,” Reid admitted on Monday. Adding: “Not that Elijah doesn’t [know them], he’s a very sharp kid.”

At that point, it was almost as if Reid realized he had backed himself into a corner and decided to just smile and end his answer by reiterating that they had seen Edwards-Helaire handle these responsibilities in the past.

“We’ve seen our guy [CEH] do it,” the Chiefs HC concluded. “So, that was the only reason why.”

If Pacheco misses another start in Week 11, it sounds like Edwards-Helaire could once again get the call from the practice squad over Mitchell.

Michael Obermuller covers the NFL for Heavy Sports, where he began writing in 2021. His areas of focus include the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers, with expert knowledge on each based on years of coverage. Michael is an NYC area native and Quinnipiac graduate. More about Michael Obermuller