Andy Reid Confirms Chiefs’ Backfield Shuffle After Isiah Pacheco Injury
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid is facing another challenge this week as the team prepares for a huge showdown against the Buffalo Bills — and this time, it’s in the backfield. Running back Isiah Pacheco, the team’s leading rusher, has been ruled out due to a knee injury, forcing Reid to reshuffle his options just days before the high-stakes game.
The injury came during Monday night’s clash against the Washington Commanders when Pacheco took a low hit that left him limping off the field. Fortunately, it was later confirmed that the injury wasn’t serious. Reid has already reassured fans that Pacheco is expected to return after the team’s Week 10 bye, saying the young running back “dodged anything major.” Still, his absence this week will be felt deeply in Kansas City’s offense.
Pacheco’s production this season has been solid — over 300 rushing yards on 78 carries, with one touchdown. But with him sidelined, the Chiefs’ run game suddenly looks thin. That’s why Reid and his staff are turning to a mix of experience and youth to fill the gap against Buffalo.
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Veteran Kareem Hunt is expected to lead the charge. Hunt has mostly been used in short-yardage and red-zone situations this year, recording 245 yards and four touchdowns on 62 carries. Now, with Pacheco out, he’ll likely handle early-down work and serve as the main ball carrier. Reid’s trust in Hunt’s physical style and familiarity with the Chiefs’ offense makes him the logical choice for this critical matchup.
Alongside him, rookie Brashard Smith could see an increased workload. The seventh-round pick has been used mainly as a pass-catching back, tallying 75 rushing yards and 122 receiving yards so far. Reid hinted that Smith’s versatility could be key in balancing the offense and keeping the Bills’ defense guessing.
Adding more depth, Kansas City elevated Clyde Edwards-Helaire from the practice squad ahead of Sunday’s game. The former first-round pick and two-time Super Bowl champion returns to action with plenty to prove after a brief stint with the New Orleans Saints last season. Elijah Mitchell, another experienced back signed earlier this year, could also factor in if needed.
Andy Reid, known for his adaptability, seems confident that his team will adjust. “We’ll mix it up and use the guys we have,” he said earlier this week, emphasizing the next-man-up mentality that has defined his coaching approach.
As Patrick Mahomes continues to play at an MVP level, the Chiefs’ offensive balance will depend on how well this new rotation performs. The Bills-Chiefs matchup is always intense, but this one adds an extra layer of intrigue — how Andy Reid manages his backfield could very well determine how Kansas City fares in Buffalo.
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