Isiah Pacheco remains the heartbeat of the Kansas City Chiefs’ backfield. However, he has been under the microscope this summer after battling injuries throughout the 2024 campaign. The Chiefs’ seventh-round draft pick enters a make-or-break season for a team seeking redemption. Now the question remains: is Pacheco at full strength for Week 1?
Is Pacheco Cleared for Week 1?
Isiah Pacheco looking healthy 💪@MichaelFFlorio | @NextGenStats pic.twitter.com/hyAufHWBZ5
— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) August 16, 2025
While the Chiefs have not released an official Week 1 injury designation, Pacheco has participated in August practices without any issues. That aligns with what many anticipated, unless something else emerges later. So, for now, all we can say is he is trending toward being active when the Chiefs open the season against the Chargers.
Pacheco’s 2024 Season With the Chiefs
Pacheco played only seven games in the 2024 season, leaving the backfield thin. Although the team finished the regular season 15-2 and had a Super Bowl appearance, a reliable ground game earlier would have been helpful.
Pacheco is entering his fourth NFL season, coming off the worst of his three seasons in the league. This is really problematic. However, head coach Andy Reid has high hopes for his running back. Reid believes Pacheco will be even better this season despite missing most of last season.
“I think he’ll be better this year. He was forcing that thing coming back. Most guys probably haven’t come back, but if you know him for a minute, you know he wasn’t going to be held back. I think you’ll get an even better player this year,” Reid said after the NFL owners’ meetings.
Pacheck Speaks About the Competition Around Him
After a recent practice, Pacheco spoke to the media about the competition around him. “Oh, it’s phenomenal,” he said.
“We got guys that you can’t depend on, as far as saying that they’re only doing one thing. You can’t say that about us. You got guys just playing all different roles, just having fun with it and just competing.”
He also discussed the camp and how it keeps him sharp and helps build chemistry.
“I had that similar role when I came in here,” he said, reflecting on his 2022 rookie season. “It’s finding ways to get better, and that’s on the special teams, wherever it may be. Building a relationship with guys so you could learn a little bit more about them, and as far as the game itself — competing.”
