The Kansas City Chiefs are one of the few NFL teams getting healthier as the season goes on, and they might become stronger too.
The biggest boost for the two-time defending Super Bowl champions could come on Sunday, when the Chiefs hope to have running back Isiah Pacheco and pass rusher Charles Omenihu ready to play against Carolina. Both spent last week working with the scout team and didn’t have any issues while recovering from injuries, making it more likely they will be available this week.
“We’ll see on both of those two,” said Chiefs coach Andy Reid before heading to practice on Wednesday. “Go through practice and see where they’re at this week and go from there. We’ll just have to see.”
Pacheco has been out since Week 2 after injuring his ankle, which required surgery. The Chiefs quickly signed Kareem Hunt to help, and he has done well in Pacheco’s absence.
Now, the Chiefs might have both players available, giving them two running backs with different strengths.
Hunt is known for his tough, between-the-tackles running. He’s had at least 14 carries in each of his seven games with Kansas City, including two games where he rushed for more than 100 yards.
Pacheco also runs hard, but with more speed and explosiveness. His style could help create bigger plays, which the Chiefs’ offense has been missing. His high energy and enthusiasm are also a contrast to the quieter, more reserved Hunt, and the Chiefs are excited to have that back on the sidelines.
“I mean, listen, he’s a sparkplug emotionally. He’s something that way,” Reid said. “And he’s worked his tail off to get to this point right now. We’ve got to keep an eye on him that way. He would have played three weeks ago if it was his choice.”
The Chiefs, now 9-1 after a 31-20 loss in Buffalo, are focused on protecting Pacheco from pushing himself too hard.
“It’s going to be us trying to hold him back,” said Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. “He wants to be out there as much as possible. But at the same time, he wants to win. He knows the long-term goals we have.”
In the meantime, the Chiefs hope wide receiver Marquise Brown will be back on the practice field sometime in December. Brown had shoulder surgery after getting injured in a preseason game, and for a while, it seemed like he would miss the whole season. But his rehab has gone well, and there’s a chance he could help the Chiefs during the postseason.
“Making very good progress,” Reid said. “I can’t tell you a time he’ll be back, but he’s another one that’s excited to get out here and get going. I appreciate the way he’s approached this whole thing.”
The Chiefs have worked to improve their wide receiver group after losing Brown and Rashee Rice to injuries. The most notable move was trading for three-time All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins from Tennessee. Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has also been looking for extra depth by searching through the waiver wire and other teams’ practice squads.
The newest addition is wide receiver Tyquan Thornton, who joined the Chiefs’ practice squad after being waived by the Patriots on Saturday.
Thornton was a second-round pick by New England in the 2022 draft, with many teams impressed by his 4.28-second 40-yard dash time at the NFL scouting combine. But he struggled to meet expectations, playing in 28 games with just 13 starts, totaling 39 catches for 385 yards and two touchdowns.
The Chiefs hope they can help him reach his potential and give Mahomes another weapon who can stretch the field.
“Obviously, he has a good opportunity to come here,” said Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who played with Thornton in New England. “Young dude. Loves to work. Loves to stretch the field, too. He’s excited to be in the building and get to work.”
