When Will Isiah Pacheco Return and Be Back? Fantasy Football Injury Update for Week 11 (2024)

The Chiefs are expected to designate running back Isiah Pacheco to return from injured reserve this week, a move that fantasy football managers have eagerly awaited.

Once designated, Kansas City will have a 21-day window to evaluate Pacheco’s recovery and officially activate him to the roster. Since being sidelined in Week 3, Pacheco's absence has left a gap in the Chiefs’ backfield, where Kareem Hunt has been handling a substantial workload in his place. However, it's uncertain whether Pacheco will immediately regain his lead-back role or share touches with Hunt upon his return.

Fantasy managers should keep an eye on practice reports and any updates from Chiefs’ coaches, as Pacheco's role in the offense could range from a shared committee to resuming a primary role, depending on his form and game readiness.

Pacheco's return could bring valuable depth and upside in fantasy lineups, especially as the Chiefs gear up for the latter part of the season, but any timeshare could slightly impact his overall ceiling.

BREAKING: The Chiefs are designating RB Isiah Pacheco to return from IR. Per @Schultz_Report pic.twitter.com/LH1mhi07Kv

— PFF Fantasy & Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) November 12, 2024

Isiah Pacheco can be viewed as a strong RB1 option once he returns to the Chiefs' lineup, provided he is healthy and active.

Though Pacheco hasn’t played since Week 2, his performance before the injury was impressive, as he demonstrated both the volume and big-play ability that made him a promising fantasy asset.

When he was on the field, Pacheco was the clear lead back, handling a significant portion of the workload in both the running and passing game. If he is cleared to play this week against the Bills, fantasy managers shouldn’t hesitate to start him, especially given the high-scoring potential of the Chiefs’ offense.

Pacheco’s combination of touchdown upside and involvement in a potent offense makes him a valuable RB1, and he should immediately slot back into fantasy lineups if he's good to go.

However, fantasy managers should monitor any pre-game updates to ensure he is fully fit before making their final decision.

Isiah Pacheco - UPDATE pic.twitter.com/TDF4a7htS7

— Jesse Morse, MD (@DrJesseMorse) November 12, 2024