Injury concerns pile up for Chiefs as Andy Reid confirms Isiah Pacheco out for Sunday matchup against Bills

Kansas City Chiefs star running back Isiah Pacheco has been officially ruled out for Sunday’s Week 9 matchup against long-standing rivals, the Buffalo Bills, head coach Andy Reid confirmed at the latest press conference.

Pacheco did not practice on Friday. Reid had said that there was a good chance for Pacheco to be listed as out for the Sunday matchup. The 26-year-old halfback suffered an MCL sprain in the Week 8 victory against the Washington Commanders. NFL Insider Tom Pelissero then informed cyberspace that Pacheco was expected to be evaluated on a week-to-week basis. Veteran running back Kareem Hunt as the starter and rookie Brashard Smith as the next in line may have to step up in the upcoming game and fill in for his absence.

Veterans Kareem Hunt and Elijah Mitchell and rookie Brashard Smith may suit up for Sunday’s matchup against the Buffalo Bills

Kareen Hunt, a 30-year-old running back played in all eight matches of the 2025 season, accumulating 62 rushing attempts for 245 rushing yards, a 4.0-yard average per carry, four touchdowns, and eight receptions. The rookie also suited up for all eight matches of the season, amassing 25 rushing attempts for 75 rushing yards, a 3.0-yard average per carry, zero touchdowns, 14 receptions, 122 receiving yards, and 322 kick return yards.

As for veteran running back Elijah Mitchell, he has not recorded any rushing or receiving statistics for the 2025 season. He signed with the Chiefs as a free agent in March 2025. The backup running back suffered a hamstring injury that made him miss the entire 2024 season, but in the Chiefs’ offseason practice, Mitchell was a full participant.

Head coach Andy Reid lays trust in backup running back Elijah Mitchell

At the press conference, coach Reid acknowledged Mitchell’s hamstring injury and marveled at his return. He was impressed by the veteran’s game play in the offseason and looks forward to seeing him play in the upcoming games. “First of all, he had a severe injury at one point that a lot of guys wouldn’t even come back from this thing,” Reid said. “And he battled back and you could see him just get better every week during camp and then progressing through to now takes a lot of the reps with the scout-team group.

I would tell you that we all have confidence in his play ability for sure, yeah.”Also Read: Kareem Hunt: Career Achievements, Super Bowl Contributions, and Personal Background