Isiah Pacheco, the running back brought in this offseason to snag that RB2 spot for the Lions, just got an update that could seriously shake things up. Coach Dan Campbell, on Friday, revealed that Pacheco, who has been battling a tough back injury and surgery, is “progressing well.” And get this, there is a legitimate “chance we could get him back in late December, mid-December maybe. There’s a chance here.” That is massive news for a guy who has been sidelined since training camp.
The Pacheco Progress Report
Pacheco’s journey back to the field has been brutal. After the Lions traded David Montgomery to Houston, they signed Pacheco to contend for the backup running back role. But then came the MCL injury in training camp, and while he was rehabbing that, he got hit with a more serious back injury that needed surgery. We heard it was a 12-week recovery, with a December return always on the table, but hearing Campbell confirm it with that kind of optimism? That is what you call a shot in the arm. Campbell could not praise the guy enough for his rehab grind, saying, “He’s put a tremendous amount of work in, and he’s doing pretty good.” Apparently, if you go back there, “Pacheco is,you go back there, and he’s ready to go, man. It’s just a matter of letting it continue to heal, but he’s doing a good job.” Sounds like a player itching to get back, and a coaching staff stoked about his dedication.
Joseph and White’s Road Back
It was not just Pacheco getting the spotlight. Safety Kerby Joseph, a key piece of that defense, also returned to practice this week. Campbell said Joseph has handled the individual and group work well, but they have not thrown him into full team drills yet. The plan is to keep progressing him slowly, get him some extra cardio after practice, and then slide him into team drills next week. Reading between the lines, it definitely sounds like Joseph will not be suiting up this week against the Vikings. Campbell did address Joseph wearing a compression sleeve on Thursday after not having one on Wednesday, telling everyone not to overthink it. It is all about reducing swelling, especially when you are in the “infant stage” of coming back from an injury. Everything has “been positive to this date,” Campbell noted.
Then there is linebacker Devin White, who broke his forearm three weeks ago, an injury believed to require surgery. Well, guess what? White was seen in the locker room this week without any protective gear on his arm! Campbell was quick to add that White is “doing pretty good, too,” and progressing well. He has got three more games to sit out before he can even practice again, with Week 11 against the Buccaneers being the earliest we could see him actually play.
Harper Also On the Mend
Finally, Campbell gave a quick shout-out to reserve safety Thomas Harper. Harper landed on injured reserve all the way back in Week 2 after an ankle injury against the Buffalo Bills. The good news? He is now eligible to return to practice. It is a critical step for depth in that secondary.
So, a mixed bag of injury updates, but for Lions fans, that Pacheco news is the real headliner. With Joseph likely out against the Vikings this week, and White still a few weeks away from even practicing, the Lions need every healthy body they can get. But knowing Pacheco could be back by December and White is not far behind? That is some serious light at the end of the tunnel heading into a crucial part of the season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pride of Detroit.
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