Kansas City Chiefs star running back Isiah Pacheco posted a video of himself briskly walking on a treadmill on Monday.
MORE NEWS: The Buccaneers’ Mike Evans is out of the game with an apparent leg injury on MNF
Pacheco’s rapid progress in recovery is impressive considering he fractured his fibula just over a month ago.
Pacheco suffered a serious injury in the Week 2 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
KANSAS CITY, MO – SEPTEMBER 15: Isiah Pacheco #10 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals during the third quarter at JHA at Arrowhead Stadium on September 15… KANSAS CITY, MO – September 15: Isiah Pacheco #10 of The Kansas City Chiefs run the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals during the third quarter at GEHA Stadium at Arrowhead Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs’ Isiah Pacheco posted a video of himself running that should get fans excited. More Kevin Sabitos/Getty Images
Head coach Andy Reid gave a somewhat bleak timeline on Pacheco’s return in mid-September.
“I can’t give you a date for his return,” Reid said days after Pacheco had surgery. “We’ll just see if it’s this season or next season.”
However, Pacheco’s video indicates the running back is making significant progress as a late bloomer in 2024. Since the Chiefs drafted Pacheco in 2022, the seventh-rounder has emerged as a star for Kansas City.
In Pacheco’s absence, running back Kareem Hunt has mostly shouldered the responsibilities of getting yards on the ground.
Hunt’s production for the Chiefs suggests the dynasty now has a dangerous duo in Kansas City’s backfield.
Pacheco was scheduled to be out for up to eight weeks, but once he returns, the Chiefs may look even scarier than they already appear.
Kansas City is the only remaining undefeated team in the league. The Minnesota Vikings were 5-0 until the Detroit Lions broke their winning streak.
The Vikings and Lions both sit at 5-1. The Chiefs have a strong chance to continue their winning streak against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 8.
The Raiders have struggled to start the season, especially at the quarterback position. Las Vegas also just lost their top receiver, Davante Adams, who was traded to the New York Jets.
The Chiefs managed to remain unscathed without the talent of Pacheco, Rushie Rice, and Marquis “Hollywood” Brown.
Kansas City will also have to compete without JuJu Smith-Schuster, who suffered an injury in Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers.
“I think it just shows the diversity of our team. It’s not just about me, it’s not just about the stats and the light show and things like that. It’s about playing team football,” Mahomes said. “I think if we keep working, we’ll get better offensively [in terms of] Throw the ball on the field. “Until then, it’s good to know that we have a great running game, we have a great defense, and we are able to execute when it comes time to win football games.”
For more NFL news, visit Newsweek Sports.