Heading into Week 9 and the Week 10 bye, it was reported that Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco was expected to return in Week 11 versus the Denver Broncos, but the latest injury update appears to confirm a recent fear that KC’s RB1 could potentially miss this key divisional matchup.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid was awfully cryptic about the status of Pacheco on Monday, November 10, and rumors that the energetic playmaker may not be ready were proven accurate on November 12.
While addressing the media on Wednesday, Reid immediately announced that Pacheco (knee) would not participate in practice. Later, the Chiefs’ social media team posted confirmation of this “DNP” status, noting that star defensive end George Karlaftis (thumb) was also “limited” on November 12.
Pacheco is the bigger concern at this stage. Dealing with what was reported as an “MCL sprain,” Pacheco is now in danger of missing his second straight game and third straight week, if you include the bye.
The dismissive nature of the Chiefs ball carrier’s practice status also suggests that he’s not particularly close to retaking the field, at least not for Week 11 against the Broncos.
Perhaps the Week 12 home matchup versus the Indianapolis Colts is more realistic.
The expectation was that rookie Brashard Smith might get some more usage with Pacheco sidelined, but that wasn’t really the case in Week 9.
Smith received 12 offensive snaps against the Buffalo Bills — his third-highest snap count of the year. However, this level of involvement was comparable to most weeks of his rookie campaign.
The explosive seventh-rounder was also largely unimpactful in Buffalo. He ran the ball 3 times for a minuscule yards per carry of 2.3, and his only target was an incomplete pass.
Instead, the Chiefs leaned on veteran staff favorite Kareem Hunt, while also calling upon practice squad RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Hunt is the clear lead back without Pacheco in the mix, but Edwards-Helaire was a surprise elevation that worked in for 2 carries and 5 rushing yards.
In the end, it was Hunt who became the bell cow in Week 9. Kansas City utilized Hunt on 78.3% of offensive snaps, which equated to 47 snaps.
He also ran the ball for 4.5 yards per carry and 1 touchdown, while catching 1-of-2 targets for 6 yards. It was Hunt’s third touchdown in two games and his sixth TD of the 2025 season.
While Wednesday’s missed practice certainly isn’t a good sign, it also isn’t a final injury designation. That won’t come until Friday, as the Chiefs post their third injury report of Week 11.
To flip the script and suit up on Sunday, Pacheco would likely have to at least log a limited practice on Thursday, November 13, or Friday, November 14. If that doesn’t happen, he’ll surely be ruled out before we hit the weekend.
Of course, if Pacheco can get himself back onto the practice field in any capacity, it not only gives him a chance to play versus the Broncos but also improves his Week 12 outlook.
Fans have expressed concerns that Pacheco’s injury will linger into the Week 13 Thanksgiving Day matchup. And until he gets himself back on the practice field, there is no way to disprove those concerns as invalid.
The Detroit Lions showed their stuff with a lopsided 44-22 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday, November 9, on the road, and that took away a bit of the sting of losing to NFC North rivals the Minnesota Vikings the week prior. While it was a great to get a win against Washington, now, the Lions are looking ahead to a contest against the reigning NFL champions: the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Lions and Eagles go up against each other on Sunday, November 16, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The Eagles have a 7-2 record going into the game, while the Lions are 6-3, and both teams are being called among the best in the NFL for the 2025-26 season.
“It’s a great place to play,” Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell told 97.1 The Ticket in Detroit about playing in Philadelphia under the bright lights. He almost channeled his inner Metallica, noting, “I mean, it’s electric. Had batteries thrown at us, spit on. It’s just the classic stuff. It’s probably the most hostile place to play.”
So, Campbell is ready to take on the Eagles on the road, and so is quarterback Jared Goff. While Goff isn’t a flashy name like Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen, he’s quietly been winning this season when it comes to his statistics.
On Wednesday, November 12, the team took to social media to announce Goff’s numbers from this season. According to NFL research, Goff is first in the entire league in completion at 74%. He’s also second in passing touchdowns at 20, passer rating at 117.7 and passing first down at 41.4%, plus fourth in passing touchdowns at 7.3% and fifth in yards per attempt at 8.19.
Goff will take those numbers into the Eagles contest. Sunday’s game will mark the first time these teams have played since the 2022-23 season. The Lions and Eagles almost went up against each other in last season’s NFC championship game, but the Lions were upset by the Washington Commanders in the divisional round of the playoffs.
The Lions are slight underdogs in Sunday’s game, and Pete Prisco from CBS Sports predicts an Eagles 31, Lions 27 final score.
“The Lions are playing consecutive road games, while the Eagles are playing on a short week,” he notes in the feature, out on Wednesday, November 12. “That kind of cancels them out. The Eagles have had trouble scoring, while the Lions rolled up big numbers last week. But at home, look for the Eagles defense to slow down the Lions, while the Eagles get their offense going for the win.”
In the NFL’s official Week 11 power rankings, out on Tuesday, November 11, the Eagles are No. 4 on the tally, and the Lions are No. 5. So, yes, this game is going to be tight.
“Dan Campbell took over offensive play-calling, and the Lions had arguably their most productive showing of the season on that side of the ball,” Eric Edholm says of the Lions’ win over the Commanders last Sunday. But, he adds, “Tougher challenges await, but the Lions gave a reminder that they can still go nuclear when they’re on.”