KC Chiefs HC Andy Reid Gives Significant Update on Isiah Pacheco's Shoulder Injury
The Kansas City Chiefs have been a bit banged up as of late, and four players were held out of practice to start the week. Two have since made their returns to work, although the other half sat out and there's now some unfortunate clarity regarding the team's injury picture entering a Week 15 game against the New England Patriots.
Head coach Andy Reid took the podium on Friday afternoon, confirming that running back Isiah Pacheco (shoulder) and left tackle Donovan Smith (neck) will again be out on Sunday.
Big news regarding Isiah Pacheco's shoulder ailment
Pacheco, the Chiefs' leading rusher in back-to-back seasons, suffered what was described as a shoulder contusion during the club's Week 13 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Reid revealed on Friday that the second-year running back underwent a cleanup procedure earlier this week and "had some things taken out that were floaters in there." Despite the surgery on a shoulder that has already been operated on this calendar year, Reid said the Chiefs "probably anticipate getting him back next week."
Friday marks the sixth practice in a row Pacheco has missed, which means the veteran duo of Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon will lead the way for Kansas City this weekend. Earlier this week, Reid gave a vote of confidence for his running back room regardless of who takes the field during games.
"Yeah, well, that's a tough question because no matter how I answer it, it makes somebody not look good," Reid said. "We love Pacheco and we love his energy but at the same time, Clyde and McKinnon, I thought, did a tremendous job in there. I don't want to slight any of them because they're all playing well and they all bring energy in their own way."
Other Week 15 Chiefs injury news
Along the offensive line, Smith suffered a stinger in Week 11's win over the Las Vegas Raiders. He tried to play through the pain the following week but logged just 21 snaps against Green Bay. The 30-year-old then missed last week's loss to the Buffalo Bills, with rookie Wanya Morris relieving him. Morris is set to make his second straight start on Sunday.
In the secondary, the return of safety Mike Edwards is a positive. The offseason free agent pickup missed Wednesday and Thursday's practices with an illness, although he and linebacker Leo Chenal (who practiced Thursday) were both able to recover in time to get back in the fold this week. With fellow safety Bryan Cook on the injured reserve list, Kansas City will take all the help it can get if Edwards is deemed good to go for Week 15.
Wide receiver Justyn Ross, who returned to practice following the conclusion of his suspension, won't play this week. Per Reid, the second-year wideout will remain on the exempt list through at least this weekend's game.
Update: Edwards and Chenal don't carry injury designations into Sunday's game. Ross is listed as doubtful to play.
