Lions Make Isiah Pacheco Decision Ahead of Week 1

That likely speaks to the severity of Pacheco’s injuries. After being added to Injured Reserve to start the season, Pacheco will miss at least the first four games of the season. He will be eligible to return in Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals, although with a Week 6 bye for the Lions, the team could keep Pacheco out until Week 7 against the Green Bay Packers.

Pacheco spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs, winning two Super Bowls with the team in 2023 and 2024. The Lions signed Pacheco in the offseason after they traded veteran back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans. In 51 career games, Pacheco has amassed a total of 3,091 yards from scrimmage, with 17 total touchdowns, and an average gain of 4.7 yards per touch.

This also leaves the Lions’ running back group particularly thin with minimal time left before the start of the season. Behind Gibbs, the Lions have Jacob Slayers, Sione Vaki, and Jabari Small. There is still a chance that the Lions add a free agent in the coming days, but with Pacheco’s expected return after his IR stint, the Lions likely will not want to commit much to the position.

Luckily for the Lions, the start of their schedule does not offer the stiffest competition. Detroit opens the season at home against the Saints, then will face the New York Jets in Week 3 and the Carolina Panthers in Week 4. In Week 2, the Lions have a date on Thursday Night Football at the Buffalo Bills.