Chiefs HC says this RB must step up with Isiah Pacheco injured

The Kansas City Chiefs backfield is incredibly thin after bell-cow running back Isiah Pacheco fractured his fibula in a win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. 

With Pacheco expected to miss at least six weeks, veteran back Samaje Perine and undrafted rookie Carson Steele are Kansas City's only healthy running backs.

Perine signed with the Chiefs in late August and hasn't received a carry through two games, while Steele has nine in all, including seven against the Bengals for 24 yards and one lost fumble. 

Although Steele's fumble could have been costly, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid doesn't think the turnover will turn into a trend. Reid anticipates Steele having a key role while Pacheco is sidelined. 

“Well, he’s going to have to step it up there in that role,” Reid said, per Arrowhead Pride. “I think he likes to be challenged — and I think this will be a good challenge for him. He’s obviously [got to] keep the ball high and tight. He had the fumble yesterday — [although] he doesn’t have a history of that — so he’s got to make sure he learns from that.”

Steele led the Chiefs in rushing during the preseason with 87 yards, 7.9 yards per carry with two touchdowns. While it was a feat alone making the 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent, it'll be an even more incredible story if the UCLA prospect becomes Kansas City's RB1 with Pacheco out.

Part of why Steele has defied the odds and has found a home with the Chiefs is he strives to be a multi-faceted back who can do anything that's asked of him. Steele will be asked to run, catch and block in Kansas City's offensive scheme. 

"My main goal was trying to be like a Swiss Army knife, a do-it-all type of deal and wherever they need to put me in is where I can get in," Steele said in August, per ESPN. "Being able to block, especially catch out of the backfield too, not only just being able to run."

Steele's debut as starting running back could come this Sunday against an Atlanta Falcons team that went on the road and beat the Philadelphia Eagles 22-21 on "Monday Night Football.'"

Although the Falcons won, they gave up 95 yards to running back Saquon Barkley and 85 yards to quarterback Jalen Hurts. Chiefs vs. Falcons could be a matchup that allows Steele to hit the ground running.