Andy Reid's Chiefs dealt huge blow as top Patrick Mahomes weapons injured again

Head coach Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs have dealt with numerous injuries en route to their impressive 15-1 record and the top seed in the AFC.

Now, another key offensive contributor is back on the injury report: running back Isiah Pacheco. The third-year player suffered yet another setback in Kansas City's 29-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day.

After six carries for 18 yards, Pacheco didn't return to the contest with a rib injury. It's unclear just how banged up the Chiefs running back was or if his team's comfortable lead made the decision to rest him out of precaution.

Reid admitted postgame how his side mostly escaped the short week (Kansas City had just three days off ahead of Wednesday's game) with limited injuries. He also provided an update on Pacheco's situation.

"As far as the injuries go, Pacheco would be the only one," Reid said. "He got dinged his ribs there. So we'll see how bad they are."

Reid also praised his team's other backfield options. "On the positive side of that, he played good football, along with Kareem [Hunt], and [Samaje] Perine just keeps making plays for us."

Injuries have limited Isiah Pacheco to just seven games this year (

Image:

Getty Images)

An early-season fractured fibula caused Pacheco to miss 2.5 months from September to November. On the year, the former Rutgers running back has rushed for 310 yards and a score.

He emerged as a compliment to star quarterback Patrick Mahomes last year, powering for 935 yards and seven scores. Pacheco reached another level in the postseason, rushing for 313 yards and three scores in just three games as Kansas City repeated as Super Bowl champions.

If Pacheco were to miss more time, the Chiefs would turn to the duo of Kareem Hunt and Samaje Perine to fill his shoes. Hunt was signed midseason and Perine is primarily a pass-catching specialist.

Pacheco may have been a candidate to sit anyway with Kansas City having already secured a first-round bye. Mahomes was coy when asked if he would rest during next week's game against the Denver Broncos.

"I'm going to [plan to] start, and if Coach wants me to go out there and play," he said. "I'll go out there and play. If he doesn't, I'll sit back. I fully trust that Coach Reid knows what he's doing, and he's done it for a long time.''