Chiefs Make Final Call on Isiah Pacheco’s Week 12 Status: What It Means for KC’s Offense

The Kansas City Chiefs will be without two key players for their Week 12 clash with the Carolina Panthers: running back Isiah Pacheco and defensive end Charles Omenihu. Head coach Andy Reid confirmed the absence of both players on November 22, just days before the game.

Isiah Pacheco: Close, But Not Quite Ready

Pacheco, who has been sidelined since suffering a fractured fibula in Week 2, is not quite ready to return to game action. Despite being healthy enough to play, the coaching staff, along with the team’s medical personnel, have opted to give him more time to recover, particularly with a short week ahead. According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, the decision was made with an eye toward Pacheco’s long-term health and the fact that the Chiefs will face a tough opponent just a few days later.

“It’s a good problem to have,” offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said earlier this week. “We’re just happy for him to be able to get back.”

The Chiefs opened Pacheco’s 21-day practice window on November 13, meaning the clock is ticking for him to return to the active roster. If he’s not activated by December 4, Pacheco will remain on injured reserve for the rest of the season.

Pacheco’s absence comes as a blow to Kansas City’s offense, as he was playing some of the best football of his career before the injury. In his stead, running back Kareem Hunt will have another opportunity to shine, with many fantasy football managers hoping for a strong showing against Carolina’s porous run defense.

Charles Omenihu: Slowly Progressing

Omenihu, who tore his ACL during the Chiefs’ postseason run in January, is also still working his way back from injury. Like Pacheco, Omenihu’s 21-day practice window was activated on November 13, and his status for the remainder of the season hinges on whether he’s healthy enough to return by the December 4 deadline. Given that the Chiefs’ defense has been playing well in his absence, Omenihu’s return would provide a much-needed boost to an already stout unit.

Reaction to Pacheco’s Week 12 Status

As expected, the news of Pacheco’s continued absence was met with mixed reactions from fans and analysts alike. On X (formerly Twitter), one user shared their approval, noting, “This makes sense. No need to put them on the field for this game when they have a bigger one coming up on a short week.”

For fantasy football players, it was a reminder to not overlook Kareem Hunt, who will likely handle the bulk of the workload against the Panthers. “Kareem Hunt gets one more week of being a workhorse, and he’s essentially a must play against a poor Carolina run defense, especially in a week with a lot of byes,” said Hutchinson Brown from Football Guys.

Others, however, voiced concern over the decision, with one user quipping, “Basically saying they aren’t worried about the Panthers. I’m sure that won’t come back to bite us at all.”

Chiefs’ RB Rotation: What’s Next for Pacheco?

Once Pacheco is fully healthy, he will immediately reclaim his spot as the Chiefs’ RB1. However, the exact distribution of touches between Pacheco and the other backs—primarily Kareem Hunt—remains uncertain. Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy sounded optimistic about Pacheco’s eventual return, expressing excitement about the added depth the backfield will have when he rejoins the fold.

“When that time comes, whether it’s this week or next, he brings positivity, energy, and fire. He’s a young player growing into a key part of our offense,” Nagy said.

In the short term, it will be interesting to see how Kansas City’s offense adapts without Pacheco. But once the explosive back is back in the mix, expect a potent 1-2 punch with Pacheco and Hunt that will keep opposing defenses on their heels.

Looking Ahead: Week 13 vs. Raiders

With Week 12 behind them, the Chiefs will look ahead to a critical AFC West showdown against the Las Vegas Raiders. Pacheco’s next chance to return to the lineup will come in Week 13, when the Chiefs face their division rivals on Black Friday, November 29, at 2 p.m. Central Time. The game will be available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

For now, Kansas City will continue to navigate the injuries to Pacheco and Omenihu, hoping to stay atop the AFC playoff race while giving their stars the time they need to return to full strength.