Isiah Pacheco replacements: 3 best players Chiefs should target after RB's injury

Isiah Pacheco suffered a serious injury during the Kansas City Chiefs' 26-25 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2. The star running back has reportedly fractured his fibula on his right leg and is expected to get placed on injured reserve.

In the Chiefs' win over the Bengals, Pacheco rushed for 90 yards on 19 carries. He also had five receptions for 21 yards. Pacheco could miss significant time, so the team could look to add a running back from the free-agent market.

Although there aren't many high-quality free-agent running backs available, Brett Veach has demonstrated his ability to make sound personnel decisions over the years. Here are three potential Pacheco replcements the Chiefs could pursue in the coming days:

---

Isiah Pacheco potential replacements

#1 Jerick McKinnon

Super Bowl LVIII - San Francisco 49ers v Kansas City Chiefs - Source: Getty

For the Chiefs, Jerick McKinnon is the best available option on the market. The 32-year-old running back spent the last three seasons with Kansas City and was a big part of their back-to-back Super Bowl triumphs.

However, McKinnon is more known for being a threat in the passing game than in the running game. Even if the Chiefs do sign him, he will likely have a similar role as he did in the last three seasons, and players like Carson Steele and Samaje Perine will be much more involved in the running game. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who is placed on the non-football injury list, could also be back for the Chiefs by Week 5.

McKinnon signed a one-year $1.31 million deal with the Chiefs last season, and he could be back on a similar deal. In 42 games across three seasons, he rushed for 413 yards and two touchdowns on 105 carries. Most importantly, he had 94 receptions for 811 yards and 14 touchdowns.

#2 Matt Breida

New Orleans Saints v San Francisco 49ers - Source: Getty

Another player the Chiefs could bring in is former New York Giants running back Matt Breida. The 29-year-old signed a one-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers this offseason but was released before the start of the season.

Breida's tenure with the Giants was not successful, but that was largely due to the team's poor offensive line. During the first three years of his career, Breida had success with the 49ers, and Andy Reid could make things work with him until Pacheco's back.

As mentioned earlier, there are not many good options for the Chiefs on the market, but Breida could be a serviceable back for the team alongside other players at the position.

#3 Dalvin Cook

New York Jets v Miami Dolphins - Source: Getty

Dalvin Cook is currently on the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad. The Chiefs could still sign him to their active roster, and Cook could make things work on a way better roster than he had in New York last year.

The 29-year-old running back averaged 3.2 yards per carry with the Jets last season, but playing alongside Patrick Mahomes, Rashee Rice, Travis Kelce and Xavier Worthy and a better offensive line might extend his career.

If the Chiefs don't sign any free agent running back, they still have undrafted free agent Emani Bailey on their practice squad who could be part of the main roster in the coming weeks.

In his last year at TCU, Bailey rushed for 1,209 yards and eight touchdowns on 223 carries, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. He also had 25 receptions for 184 yards and a touchdown.