The Kansas City Chiefs have been short-handed at running back in recent weeks thanks to the injury to Isiah Pacheco.
The Chiefs running back has not suited up for a contest since Week 8, when he sustained a knee injury that kept him out of the games against the Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts.
After having missed three games in a row, will Pacheco finally make his way back onto the field for the Week 13 battle with the Dallas Cowboys?
Here's what we know.
Will Isiah Pacheco return in Week 13?
TUESDAY UPDATE: Chiefs head coach Andy Reid confirmed that Pacheco will return to the lineup in Week 13 against the Cowboys.
Andy Reid said Trey Smith (right ankle) & Noah Gray (concussion protocol).
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) November 25, 2025
"It's a great honor to play on Thanksgiving Day," Reid said.
Reid said Isiah Pacheco will play against the Cowboys.
END OF UPDATE
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Pacheco is targeting a return in Week 13.
"Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco is targeting a return to the lineup Thursday vs Cowboys, per source. He’s been out since Week 8 with a knee injury," Fowler reported. "Will be up to team but he’s trending positively."
Kansas City dropped its first estimated injury report of the week on Monday and Pacheco was listed as a full participant, which is obviously a very good sign.
However, we are not ready to declare Pacheco fully back quite yet, as the running back logged a full practice last Wednesday before turning in two limited sessions the next two days and getting ruled out for Week 12.
So, we want to see another full session for Pacheco before feeling fully confident that he's indeed going to play on Thanksgiving.
The Chiefs will drop their next injury report on Tuesday, and then their final one on Wednesday, so we should have an answer by then.
Based on his practice participation on Wednesday and Fowler's report, we would say there is a better than 50/50 chance Pacheco makes his return to the field this week.
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