If you’re checking the injury report for a Chiefs playoff run, the news is grim. But not for the reasons you might think. Honestly, the question of is Isiah Pacheco hurt has shifted from a medical diagnosis to a career crossroads. As we hit mid-January 2026, Pacheco isn't currently nursing a fresh, "broken" injury in the traditional sense, but he’s basically a ghost in the Kansas City offense.
He was inactive for the Week 18 finale against the Raiders. The team called it "rest." But you don't "rest" a 26-year-old back when you’re 6-11 and sitting at the bottom of the AFC West. You bench them. Or you move on.
It’s been a brutal ride. Ever since that fractured fibula back in September 2024, Pacheco hasn't looked like the human bowling ball that helped win back-to-back Super Bowls. He’s been dealing with a lingering knee issue throughout the 2025 season that kept him out of multiple games in November. When he did play, the explosion was gone.
The Reality of the 2025 Season Slump
The numbers don't lie, and they’re kinda depressing. In 2025, Pacheco averaged a measly 3.9 yards per carry. For a guy who used to run like he was trying to break the earth's crust, that’s a massive drop-off.
He finished the season with only 462 rushing yards. That's a career low for a full season.
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We saw Kareem Hunt—who is significantly older—consistently take the "heavy" work because Pacheco’s body just wasn't holding up. Throughout the 2025 campaign, Pacheco was a frequent flyer on the injury report. It wasn't just one big blowout. It was the knee. Then the "rest" days. Then a limited practice schedule that never seemed to end.
Most experts, including those over at Arrowhead Addict, noticed that the "pop" in his lateral cuts vanished after the fibula surgery. If you watch the tape from the Week 17 loss to the Broncos, he looked hesitant. He had 9 carries for 32 yards. You can’t win in the NFL with that level of production from your supposed RB1.
Why the "Hurt" Status is Complicated
When people ask "is Isiah Pacheco hurt," they are usually looking for a timeline. When will he be back? The truth is more nuanced. Physically, the bone is healed. The fibula is fine. But the secondary compensations—the strain on the knee and the loss of that twitchy muscle fiber—have turned him into a different player.
- The Fibula Fallout: Surgeons like those at Brucato Foot and Ankle Surgery have noted that while the fibula is non-weight-bearing, the hardware (plates and screws) can sometimes cause discomfort in aggressive runners.
- Knee Compensations: When you favor one leg for six months, the other side takes the hit. Pacheco’s 2025 knee issues were almost certainly a result of his body mechanics shifting after the 2024 break.
- The Workload Factor: He runs with a "punishing" style. In the NFL, that style has a very short shelf life. We might be seeing the natural "wall" that high-volume, high-contact backs hit.
A Disaster for the Kansas City Offense
It wasn't just Pacheco. The whole Chiefs kingdom came crashing down in 2025. Patrick Mahomes tearing his ACL in December was the final nail in the coffin, but the lack of a run game started the rot much earlier.
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Because Pacheco was "hurt" or ineffective for most of the year, the Chiefs ranked 25th in rushing. That's bottom-tier.
The team has already fired Running Backs coach Todd Pinkston. They’re looking for "fresh energy." If you look at the promotional materials for the 2026 season, Pacheco’s face is notably missing. That’s a huge signal. In the NFL, "hurt" is often a synonym for "expendable" once the production stops matching the paycheck.
What Happens Next?
If you're a fantasy manager or a Chiefs fan, you've got to face the music: Isiah Pacheco might have played his last snap in a red jersey. He’s entering a contract year, and the rumors out of Kansas City suggest the front office is ready to move on.
They’ve been looking at guys like Brashard Smith to take over the "lightning" role. Pacheco is currently "healthy" in that he can walk and run, but he isn't "football healthy" at the elite level the Chiefs require.
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What you should do now:
- Watch the Waiver Wire: If you're in a dynasty league, Pacheco is a "sell" while he still has name value. His trade stock is cratering.
- Monitor Free Agency: Pacheco will likely hit the market. A team with a great offensive line might take a flyer on him, hoping a full offseason of rest (away from the turf at Arrowhead) fixes the knee.
- Follow the Draft: The Chiefs are almost certain to take a running back in the first three rounds of the 2026 draft. That will be the official end of the Pacheco era.
The "angry runner" we loved isn't gone because he’s currently in a cast. He’s gone because the cumulative toll of the last two years has finally caught up. It happens fast in this league. One day you're the heartbeat of a dynasty, the next you're an inactive "rest" designation in Week 18.
Actionable Insight: If you are tracking Pacheco's recovery for the 2026 season, stop looking at the 2024 fibula fracture. Start looking at his lateral agility scores and practice participation in July. If he doesn't show a massive jump in "burst" during training camp, his days as a starter in the NFL are likely over.