Two Chiefs starters to remain out with injuries vs. Panthers, Andy Reid confirms
Kansas City Chiefs fans — and fantasy football owners — will be without running back Isiah Pacheco for at least one more week.
Pacheco, who went through limited practices with the team Wednesday and Thursday while recovering from a broken fibula, will not play in Sunday’s road game against the Carolina Panthers, Chiefs coach Andy Reid confirmed Friday.
In addition, Chiefs defensive lineman Charles Omenihu — returning from a torn ACL he suffered late last season — will remain out for Sunday’s noon Central kickoff.
Reid said, “We’ll see,” when asked if both players were on track to play next week.
“They’re doing great, working hard,” Reid said. “We’ll just take it day by day as we go on this thing.”
The Chiefs opened the 21-day practice windows for Pacheco and Omenihu on Monday last week. That means both will require a decision soon; if players are not moved to the active roster after 21 calendar days pass, they must remain out the rest of the season.
KC has a short week upcoming as it prepares for a home Black Friday game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Pacheco hurt himself in Week 2 this season during a home victory against the Cincinnati Bengals. He was emotional in the locker room afterward, with watery eyes and a towel draped over his head as he processed the news of his injury.
Omenihu, meanwhile, was injured during the second quarter of the Chiefs’ AFC Championship Game victory last season over the Baltimore Ravens.
Both players are expected to provide upgrades for KC at their respective positions. The Chiefs have lacked speed and explosive run ability without Pacheco, as the team’s longest running back carry this season is 17 yards.
On defense, without Omenihu, KC has dropped from third in sacks a season ago (3.0 per game) to a tie for 27th this year (1.9).
