In a season already filled with twists and turns, the Kansas City Chiefs may have just been dealt a winning hand at the perfect time. According to a source close to the team, the Chiefs are designating two crucial players – running back Isiah Pacheco and defensive end Charles Omenihu – to return to practice this week, opening the door for their return to action as soon as Sunday’s clash with the Bills in Buffalo.
Pacheco’s Potential Impact
Pacheco, the Chiefs’ leading rusher in each of the past two seasons, has been sidelined on injured reserve since early in the campaign with a broken fibula. His absence has thrust veteran Kareem Hunt into the featured back role, and while Hunt has performed admirably, leading the team with 449 rushing yards and five touchdowns, there’s no denying the dynamic element Pacheco brings to the offense.
In his brief action this season before the injury, Pacheco flashed the game-breaking ability that made him such a revelation as a rookie in 2022, when he rumbled for 830 yards. He followed that up with a stellar sophomore season, amassing 935 yards on the ground. The Chiefs’ offense, while still potent, has at times lacked the explosive element in the running game that Pacheco provides.
Getting a healthy Pacheco back could be a real difference-maker for this offense heading into the playoffs. He brings a dimension that’s tough to account for defensively.
An NFL scout familiar with the Chiefs
Omenihu’s Return Bolsters Pass Rush
On the defensive side of the ball, Omenihu’s impending return could provide a jolt to an already fearsome pass rush. The defensive end was enjoying a breakout season in 2023, his first with the Chiefs, racking up seven sacks in 11 games before tearing his ACL in the AFC Championship Game. He’s spent the entirety of this season rehabbing with an eye on a playoff return.
Omenihu’s skill set perfectly complements the interior dominance of Chris Jones and the emerging rush ability of rookie George Karlaftis. Coupled with midseason acquisition Joshua Uche, a healthy Omenihu would give defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo a deep and varied rotation of pass rushers to throw at opposing quarterbacks.
Reinforcements Arrive at Crucial Juncture
The timing of these potential returns cannot be overstated. The Chiefs, while still sitting atop the AFC, have looked vulnerable in recent weeks, with the surging Bills and Bengals both making strong cases to be considered the conference favorites. Pacheco and Omenihu’s presence could be the boost Kansas City needs to fend off these challengers.
- Pacheco’s breakaway speed puts defenses on their heels
- Omenihu’s length and power wrecked offensive game plans pre-injury
- Both players have a knack for the splash play in key moments
The road back to the Super Bowl is never easy, and the Chiefs will undoubtedly face stiff tests along the way, potentially needing to go through both Buffalo and Cincinnati to reach the promised land. But with Pacheco and Omenihu set to rejoin the fray, Kansas City’s chances of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy just got a whole lot better.
Every team is looking for that little bit extra this time of year, that one factor that can put them over the top. For the Chiefs, Pacheco and Omenihu could be those guys. Their return might be the final piece to the championship puzzle.
A former NFL executive who wished to remain anonymous
As the calendar flips to December and the NFL playoff picture begins to crystallize, the Chiefs find themselves in an enviable position: welcoming back two difference-makers just as the stakes are at their highest. If Pacheco and Omenihu can recapture their pre-injury form, Kansas City may just have the most complete roster in football.
Will it be enough to secure a second Super Bowl title in four seasons? Only time will tell. But one thing is for certain – with No. 10 and No. 94 back in the fold, the Chiefs will be a tough out for anyone who stands in their way. The road to the championship just might run through Kansas City once again.
