The Kansas City Chiefs decided to part with veteran running back Isiah Pacheco earlier this year as they looked to rebuild their offense after a failed 2025 campaign.
Pacheco quickly found work with the Detroit Lions, who signed him to a one-year contract in free agency.
While Detroit's ground game was already spearheaded by speedy rusher Jahmyr Gibbs, Pacheco was expected to make an immediate impact for the Lions as a second or third option in the team's offensive backfield.
Instead, Pacheco has found on Detroit's injured reserve list to start the 2026 season, and he failed to make his debut in the Lions' Week 1 overtime win against the New Orleans Saints on September 13.
Lions placed RB Isiah Pacheco on injured reserve due to a back injury that
now will sideline him for at least four games.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 1, 2026
With Pacheco on the sideline, Detroit leaned on Gibbs in the running game, giving the former Alabama Crimson Tide star 29 carries in its 31-30 victory over New Orleans.
Third-year running back Sione Vaki and quarterback Jared Goff both took two carries for the Lions in Week 1, accumulating seven and two rushing yards, respectively.
This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Ex-Kansas City Chiefs star missed debut with Detroit Lions in Week 1
