qq. The entire practice field went silent the moment Isiah Pacheco lowered his hood and exploded into his first full-speed cut—clean, sharp, violent, like he’d never missed a snap. Coaches froze. Players stared. Even the trainers who’d been cautiously guarding him all week looked stunned as he hit the open field with that trademark fury Kansas City has been starving for. After weeks of whispers and doubt, the Chiefs’ sparkplug was suddenly moving like a man who refused to let Thanksgiving arrive without him.
Kansas City. MO. Just days before the Thanksgiving showdown with the Dallas Cowboys, the Kansas City Chiefs have received the uplifting news they desperately needed. Star running back Isiah Pacheco is officially trending toward a returnafter missing the last three games with a knee injury.
Pacheco was listed as a full participant in Monday’s injury report, a massive step forward considering he has been out since Week 8 with an MCL sprain suffered late in the win over the Washington Commanders. His violent running style took a hit, but now signs point to the league’s most energetic back being ready for primetime once again.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler confirmed the momentum. “Pacheco is targeting a return Thursday versus the Cowboys,” he reported, noting that the team will make the final decision — but all signs are positive.
The timing could not be better for Kansas City. The offense has struggled to find consistency without Pacheco’s burst, vision and relentless energy. Before being sidelined, he posted 329 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD, plus 11 catches for 43 yards and another score, giving the Chiefs a spark that no other back on the roster has replicated.
The Chiefs are coming off a dramatic 23-20 overtime win against the Colts, a victory fueled largely by Patrick Mahomes’ heroics. A returning Pacheco gives Kansas City the chance to restore balance to the offense and make a late-season push with renewed firepower.
Thanksgiving football is always electric. But with Isiah Pacheco potentially back in the lineup, the Chiefs might just be getting the emotional and explosive boost they’ve been waiting for.
If Kansas City wants to surge down the stretch, Pacheco’s comeback could be the moment that flips the season.
