(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Recently, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid sounded the alarms about Isiah Pacheco, citing that the second-year running back could begin the season on the PUP list due to multiple ailments.
Following an impressive rookie season — capped off with a Super Bowl win — Pacheco underwent surgery to repair injuries in his wrist and shoulder, raising questions about his ability to get on the field by the start of the season when they host the Detroit Lions at Arrowhead Stadium on September 7.
However, according to Chiefs beat writer Pete Sweeney, Pacheco recently stated that he’ll absolutely be 100% when the Chiefs take the field for their season opener.
Isiah Pacheco says he feels great, taking it one day at a time with the coaching staff. He said he will “absolutely” be 100% by Week 1 vs. Lions. pic.twitter.com/NzIidrfwgY
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 20, 2023
That same toughness was the main reason why Pacheco was able to take over the starting job.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire was either inefficient or not healthy enough more often than not, and Pacheco’s physicality as a bruising tailback made him a fan favorite in no time.
The seventh-round pick out of Rutgers was remarkable as a rookie, logging 830 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns on 170 carries and adding 130 receiving yards while hauling in 13 receptions in 14 targets.
He’s clearly their best option to start in the backfield over the aforementioned Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon.
The Chiefs will be the team to beat again out of the AFC, and they’ll need all their best pieces at full strength to live up to that status, even if that means playing things safely and slowly getting Pacheco back onto the field, regardless of what he says or how optimistic he is.
The post Isiah Pacheco Provides Big Update On His Week 1 Status appeared first on The Cold Wire.