Isiah Pacheco entered his rookie season with tempered expectations, but by the Super Bowl he was the Chiefs’ lead early-down running back. His health status has thus been one to watch over the course of the offseason. 
Pacheco missed minicamp and OTAs while recovering from shoulder and hand surgeries, after being able to play through those ailments without missing any regular or postseason game action. The seventh-rounder has not yet been cleared to return to full practice, but he is optimistic he will be at 100% in time for the start of the regular season.
“I trust the staff and we were able to work out a plan,” the 24-year-old said about his current recovery situation. “I’m feeling great right now. It’s just a process and that takes time” (h/t ESPN’s Adam Teicher).
Pacheco took part in a limited capacity in a minicamp held by the Chiefs ahead of training camp, doing so while wearing a non-contact uniform. He thus has a long way to go before being cleared in full to return to the lineup, but it will be a welcomed development for Kansas City when that takes place. The Rutgers product is in line for another heavy workload in Year 2.
With former first-rounder Clyde Edwards-Helaire missing seven games during the regular season and being made a healthy scratch for the Super Bowl, both Pacheco and pass-catching veteran Jerick McKinnon saw an uptick in usage. The latter scored 10 total touchdowns (including nine through the air), earning him a third Kansas City contract. The former ran for 830 yards and five touchdowns during the regular season, on an average 4.9 yards per carry. The latter figure rose to 5.1 during the postseason.
The Chiefs elected not to sign or draft another back this offseason, but they declined Edwards-Helaire’s fifth-year option. That will make his 2023 performance one to watch closely as he approaches free agency and the team looks to find the ideal balance of snap shares between their three contributors. Pacheco will no doubt have a signficant role come the fall, though, especially since he is likely to be healed in full by that point.
What is the nflpa if not a watchdog for player safety and health? Every year there’s report of players playing injured and this entity has minimal regard for health ‘down the road’ ?
Except concussions (CE) focused but what about debilitating bone misery post playing?
The 7th round pick clearly outplayed the former 1st rounder. And yet the tagged RB’s think their contracts suck? Easily replaceable.