Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco fractured his right fibula in Sunday's win over the Bengals, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports. It's not yet clear how long Pacheco is expected to miss. He's reportedly headed for further testing on Monday to determine whether there's any surrounding damage and his return timeline.
We'll watch for a more specific outlook, but it appears we should expect Pacheco to miss at least the next four weeks -- and probably more.
The Chiefs' Week 6 bye probably doesn't help, falling inside the four-game window from this week.
Pacheco left late in a game that saw him dominate backfield work. He handled 19 of the 26 RB carries. Carson Steele took the other seven, including K.C.'s final two plays before a game-winning FG.
Pacheco also drew 5 of 6 RB targets, leaving just 1 for Samaje Perine. Steele out-snapped Perine for the game, 14-9, and matched him at five pass routes.
Steele and Perine stand as the only two healthy RBs on the roster, with Clyde Edwards-Helaire two games into a four-game minimum stint on the non-football illness list. RBs Emani Bailey and Keaontay Ingram sit on the practice squad.
Steele and Perine will both be worth looks on waivers this week. Don't expect either to take over as the primary back.
Perine might present the higher floor by virtue of his veteran status and likely receiving lead. But Steele carries more physical upside and the positive of his potential being unknown.
Perine has caught passes reliably for multiple teams but also proved to be a limited producer overall.
We'd lean toward Steele as the stronger add if you're prioritizing between them.
Of course, we'll also be watching to see if the Chiefs sign a free agent, such as Jerick McKinnon.
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