Isiah Pacheco

The Kansas City Chiefs have ruled out Kadarius Toney and All-Pro guard Joe Thuney when they face the Ravens in the AFC Championship game on Sunday. Thuney, who helped lead this offensive line to being one of the best in the league will be missed on Sunday. Nick Allegretti gets the start in Thuney’s place.

Isiah Pacheco, who missed the whole week of practice, as expected will play. Pacheco was dominant in the Divisional Round against the Bills, averaging 6.5 yards per carry which led to 97 yards and touchdown on the ground. Look for the Chiefs to lean heavily on Pacheco and the run game once again, if they plan to keep Lamar Jackson and the high flying Ravens offense off the field.

In his first game back after a 2 game absence with a shoulder injury, Pacheco left the game on Christmas against the Riaders after suffering a concussion. There was doubt earlier in the week about Pacheco being able to clear protocol on a short week, but those fears were laid to rest by the Chiefs on Saturday when they announced that Pacheco will play on Sunday when they face the Bengals.

Pacheco is having a great season, still scoring as the RB19 with 805 yards and 8 touchdowns on 187 rush attempts, despite missing 2.5 games due to injury. The Chiefs are in desperate need of playmakers with a banged up running back room, and Pacheco returning is exactly what this Chiefs team need. Pacheco is a smash play this week going up against one of the league’s worst run defenses, giving up 127.3 yards per game on the ground on average. Expect Pacheco to finish this week as an RB1.

Coach Andy Reid said on Monday “He’ll be back this week” when referring to Isiah Pacheco and whether or not he would be ready to return this week. Pacheco has missed the past 2 games after undergoing a cleanup job on his lingering shoulder injury.

Pacheco was having a great season prior to his injury and was the RB9 before going down. Pacheco should slide right back into his 65% snap share and his early down role. Pacheco has a great matchup this week facing the Raiders who give up 124.9 yards per game on average on the ground. Pacheco is in a smash spot and should finish this week as a top 12 running back. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who filled in for Pacheco will be relegated back to his back up role. Jerick McKinnon, who also heated up in Pacheco’s absence should continue to be a part of the Chiefs late season push. McKinnon can be fired up in flex positions this week when they face the Raiders at Arrowhead.

Pacheco missed week 14 with a shoulder contusion, and will miss another game this week. Andy Reid told reporters on Friday that Pacheco underwent shoulder surgery and “we’ll probably anticipate getting him back next week”.

It was almost a 50/50 split backfield in week 14 when Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon faced the Bills. It was a game script that benefited McKinnon, and he was the more productive out of the two, scoring a touchdown. This week, the Chiefs face another formidable run defense in the New England Patriots, giving up a stingy 88.2 yards per game on the ground. Both McKinnon and CEH are considered desperate flex plays at best with CEH earning a small edge, with the more likelihood of game script benefiting him.

Isiah Pacheco’s absence due to a shoulder contusion is a significant setback for the Chiefs and fantasy managers, given his current standing as the RB9. Jerick McKinnon’s return after a two-week absence is noteworthy. With Pacheco out, anticipate a committee backfield, with Clyde Edwards-Helaire handling the majority of early-down work, confirmed by Andy Reid naming him the “No. 1 guy” in Pacheco’s absence.

Expect McKinnon to surpass his usual 30% snap share, resulting in a projected 60/40 split between Edwards-Helaire and McKinnon. Keep an eye on undrafted rookie Deneric Prince, elevated from the practice roster last week, as he may see some action. Facing the Bills’ formidable run defense, Edwards-Helaire offers a high floor, while McKinnon, if utilized similarly to the 2022-2023 Chiefs Super Bowl run, presents a higher ceiling. Both, however, should be considered as flex plays with an element of uncertainty.