Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco to return from 3-game injury absence vs. Cowboys on Thanksgiving

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco is returning to the Kansas City Chiefs lineup on Thanksgiving against the Dallas Cowboys.

Head coach Andy Reid announced the news to reporters on Tuesday.

Pacheco suffered a sprained MCL in his right knee in Week 8 against the Commanders and has missed Kansas City's subsequent games against the Bills, Broncos and Colts, a tough three-game stretch against playoff contenders. The Chiefs lost to the Bills and Broncos before beating the Colts on Sunday in a win critical for their playoff hopes.

Kansas City will remain under pressure against the Cowboys to keep pace in the playoff race. The 6-5 Chiefs remain on the outside looking in at the AFC playoff picture, in a tie with the Steelers and Texans behind the 7-4 Bills, Jaguars and Chargers, which would own the last three AFC playoff berths if the postseason started this week.

Veteran running back Kareem Hunt has started in Pacheco's absence. When healthy this season, Pacheco has improved from an injury-plagued 2024 campaign in which he played in just seven games and averaged a career low 3.7 yards per carry.

In eight games this season, Pacheco has tallied 329 rushing yards, 43 receiving yards and two total touchdowns while averaging 4.2 yards per carry. He's the lead back in two-back tandem alongside Hunt, though Hunt has been the preferred goal-line option with eight total touchdowns in 11 games.

The Chiefs will take on a Cowboys defense that's improved against the run thanks to defensive line additions of Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams. The 5-5-1 will be fighting to keep their own slim playoff hopes alive in the NFC.