Isiah Pacheco injury update: Latest on Chiefs RB for Week 13 Thanksgiving weekend game vs Raiders

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco is nearing a return to the field. Pacheco fractured his fibula back in September.

After the injury, Pacheco was expected to return before the regular season ended, and now, the running back is in line to return much sooner.

Isiah Pacheco's injury update

Isiah Pacheco fractured his leg in September during the Chiefs' win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Pacheco had successful surgery, and coach Andy Reid said he is in a good spot. The running back looks ready to attack his rehab.

“I talked to him twice last night, so I think he’s in a better place than he was,” Reid said, via NBC. “Here’s a guy that loves to play the game. He had tears. He was emotional.

But you don’t ever want to lose it. It’s an emotional sport, and that kid, nobody likes to play more than he likes to play.”

Before the injury, Pacheco rushed for 135 yards on 34 carries and a touchdown.

When will Isiah Pacheco return?

Isiah Pacheco is targeting a return in Week 13 - Source: Imagn

Pacheco is expected to return to the field on Friday against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Pacheco was a full participant on Tuesday and all signs point to him playing on Friday. However, quarterback Patrick Mahomes expects him to ease back in.

“He’s going to be Pop,” Mahomes said, via Athlon Sports. “Obviously, we’re going to have to work him back to when he’s ready and then when he gets on the field, not trying to overdo it.

But he’s going to have energy, he’s going to want to be on the football field, but I think that is good that we have a good room of running backs that we can not make him go and take 30 carries, we can just let him be who he is and make those big plays happen and bring him along as the season goes.”

The Chiefs host the Raiders on Friday at 3 p.m. ET. Kansas City is a 12-point favorite.