The Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills are set for a huge matchup on Sunday in the latest chapter of their rivalry, but the Chiegs will be without a key piece.
Running back Isiah Pacheco will miss the game with a knee injury, a big blow to a Kansas City team that has had issues running the ball. The Chiefs will likely try to add a running back before the trade deadline, but in the meantime, they will need to survive with their depth option in Buffalo.
Pacheco's absence means familiar faces and newcomers both will need to step up for the Chiefs. While the passing game continues to get better as the season unfolds, Kansas City needs to find a way to unlock the running game.
Here's a look at who will be running the ball for the Chiefs on Sunday.
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Chiefs RB depth chart
| Rank | Player |
| 1. | Isiah Pacheco (Out) |
| 2. | Kareem Hunt |
| 3. | Brashard Smith |
| 4. | Clyde Edwards-Helaire |
| 5. | Elijah Mitchell |
Isiah Pacheco
The Chiefs starting running back is expected to miss Sunday's game against the Bills as he deals with a knee injury. CBS' Tracy Wolfson reports, however, that Andy Reid expects Pacheco to return in two weeks after the team's bye.
Pacheco leads Kansas City in rushing this year, as he has 329 on 78 carries and one touchdown. That means that, in the game against the Bills, Patrick Mahomes will be the Chiefs' leading rusher on the season among healthy players.
Kareem Hunt
Kansas City has been using Kareem Hunt primarily as a short-yardage back this year. The veteran has 245 rushing yards on 62 attempts this year, but his four touchdowns are tied with Mahomes for the most on the team.
Hunt should get more early-down opportunities against Buffalo, while continuing his work in short-yardage. Hunt has only carried the ball 10 times in a game twice this year, and he has yet to surpass 50 rushing yards in a game.
Brashard Smith
The rookie seventh-rounder should get more workload in Sunday's game. So far, the Chiefs have used Smith as a pass-catching back, which will pair well with Hunt's early-down running while Pacheco is out.
In his rookie season so far, Smith has just 75 rushing yards on 25 attempts, but he also has caught 14 passes for 122 receiving yards. He is still looking for his first touchdown.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Edwards-Helaire has yet to play in a game this year, but Wolfson specifically mentioned him as an option to help fill Pacheco's absence. The veteran, who spent his first four seasons with the Chiefs, played for the New Orleans Saints last year, but returned to Kansas City this year.
Elijah Mitchell
Another player who hasn't played in a game this year, Mitchell hasn't appeared in a game since 2023, when he was still with the San Francisco 49ers. The 27-year-old signed a one-year deal with Kansas City in the offseason as another depth option.
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Isiah Pacheco injury update
Pacheco suffered a right knee injury in Monday night's game against the Washington Commanders, as a Washington defender hit him low on a tackle. With this being a short week for Kansas City, it's not a surprise that there wasn't enough time for him to recover for the game.
Hope Isiah Pacheco is okay, this looks bad 🙏 pic.twitter.com/bxvjHAU8Kw
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) October 28, 2025
Head coach Andy Reid said the team believes Pacheco avoided a serious injury and that he should be able to return after the team's bye week in Week 10.