Isiah Pacheco fantasy outlook: Should you start Chiefs RB after returning from injury for Week 13?

Isiah Pacheco is expected to make his return from injury in Week 13 when the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Las Vegas Raiders. He hasn't played in a game since Week 2 when he fractured his fibula in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

His return is a huge addition for the Chiefs as well as for his managers in fantasy football. His workload this week is still unknown in his first game back, making him a risky option for starting lineups, despite his bright fantasy outlook for the remainder of the season.

Should you start Isiah Pacheco in Week 13 fantasy football?

Who Should I Start

Isiah Pacheco is an interesting option for Week 13 fantasy football. His first game back from a serious leg injury could result in him having a limited workload. However, the Raiders are a favorable matchup for the star running back.

Sportskeeda's Who Should I Start tool recommends sticking with his teammate Kareem Hunt in fantasy lineups this week. Hunt has finished among the top 30 running backs in every week since joining the Chiefs lineup this year and he brings slightly higher projections into this particular matchup.

His role is likely to diminish as Pacheco gets healthier, but he is expected to be more valuable for at least one more week.

Isiah Pacheco's fantasy outlook for rest of 2024 season

Isiah Pacheco

Isiah Pacheco has been excellent since joining the Chiefs three seasons ago. He finished his rookie season ranked as the overall RB35 in fantasy football and took another step forward last year by finishing as the overall RB16. He was well on his way to another strong season this year, finishing as the weekly RB17 and RB19 in his first two games in 2024.

A devastating leg injury that was later diagnosed as a fractured fibula has kept Pacheco out for each of the Chiefs' past nine games, but he is reportedly set to make his return in Week 13. He may be eased back into action at first, but as soon as he is healthy enough, he should resume his role as their featured back ahead of Kareem Hunt.

Judging by his past results, this makes Pacheco an elite running back option down the stretch of the season. He may share some of the workload with Hunt, which could limit his weekly upside, but his projected starting role gives him plenty of fantasy value going forward.