Lions head coach Dan Campbell announced that backup running back Isiah Pacheco has undergone back surgery and will miss a significant amount of time.
"It's gonna be a while. I really can't (put a timetable on it). It'll be a significant amount of time, though," Campbell told reporters on Monday.
Pacheco, 27, was placed on injured reserve on Sept. 1, meaning he would miss at least the season's first four games. Now, it's going to be much longer than that.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Monday that Pacheco had surgery to remove a body that was pressing on a nerve in his back. Per Rapoport, it's a 12-week recovery with a chance Pacheco could return in early December. Dr. Robert Watkins IV performed the procedure.
RB Isiah Pacheco underwent back
surgery, per Lions head coach Dan Campbell.@RapSheet reporting that it's a 12-week recovery with a chance to return in early December. pic.twitter.com/ASjNHIOCc5
— The Lions Wire (@thelionswire) September 14, 2026
The Lions signed Pacheco this offseason after dealing away David Montgomery. The 5-foot-10, 210-pound back has rushed for 2,537 yards and 14 touchdowns in 51 regular-season games over the course of his career. Pacheco rushed for 462 yards and one score on 118 carries last season.
Pacheco has been battling injuries of late in his career. He played just seven games in 2024 after fracturing his right fibula. Pacheco also missed a month last season with a knee issue.
The Rutgers product initially suffered an MCL sprain during Lions training camp before this latest back injury.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions RB Isiah Pacheco to miss 'significant' time after back surgery
