After looking lifeless to start the 2025 campaign, the Kansas City Chiefs' rushing attack has found a pulse in recent weeks as the trio of Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, and, to a lesser extent, Brashard Smith have crossed the 100-yard plateau in each of the past two weeks.
Following an effort of 111 rushing yards between the three on 33 carries in the Chiefs' 31-0 drubbing of the Las Vegas Raiders, Kansas City's RB by committee was effective on the ground again in Week 8 against the Washington Commanders, picking up 106 yards on 24 carries. These aren't rushing statistics that will blow any football fan away, but compared to what fans saw over the opening weeks of the season, it is a welcome change.
Entering an all-important showdown with the Buffalo Bills in Week 9, rookie rusher Brashard Smith could be in line for his biggest share of the carries yet, as one of the Chiefs' veterans above him on the depth chart is unlikely to suit up.
Isiah Pacheco Injury Opens Door for Brashard Smith to Prove Himself
Kansas City lost starting RB Isiah Pacheco to injury during the fourth quarter of its win over Washington, and we now know that he will be out of the lineup against Buffalo as well. With Pacheco being officially ruled out on Friday, the seventh-round pick out of SMU stands the most to gain, as Hunt carrying the full load at his age seems like a nonstarter.
It is important to note that Chiefs head coach Andy Reid would not commit to veteran RB Elijah Mitchell being elevated to the active roster before Sunday's game, as reported by Charles Goldman of A to Z Sports. Should Mitchell remain inactive, the likelihood that Smith sees a larger workload than he's been asked to carry to this point in the season seems strong.
Of course, Kansas City always has the option of placing wide receivers Xavier Worthy or Rashee Rice in the backfield to help make up for the lost production from Pacheco's absence. Leaving players as important as those two on the outside subject to additional punishment by asking them to line up in the backfield at times is a risky game to play, though.
For much of the same reasons why we don't see premier skill position players returning kicks on special teams as often as fans once did, it makes very little sense to open either Worthy or Rice up to absorbing additional blows when there is a perfectly fine rookie ready and willing to carry the rock.
We'll find out soon enough whether Reid feels the same way and Smith sees his usage go up a tick in what could be a playoff preview this weekend.