Lions running back Isiah Pacheco just picked up another injury, and suddenly his status for Week 1 against the Saints is totally up in the air. This isn’t just some minor ding; it’s a new concern for a guy already trying to get healthy.
Pacheco’s New Injury Puts Week 1 in Doubt
So earlier this month, Pacheco sprained his MCL. Head coach Dan Campbell was pretty optimistic then, saying the team thought Pacheco would be back for Week 1. Fast forward to Thursday, and Campbell dropped a bombshell: Pacheco is now dealing with a back injury. What the heck, right? Campbell was blunt at the press conference, admitting, “I can’t give you anything definitive” about Pacheco’s availability for the opener. It’s a fresh problem on top of one they already had.
Knee’s Fine, But the Back and a Free Agent Visit Tell a Story
Now, Campbell did say that the MCL, the knee issue, isn’t “a concern” when it comes to Pacheco’s Week 1 availability. That’s good to hear, I guess, but it doesn’t change the new back problem. And here’s where it gets interesting: the Lions just met with free agent Kareem Hunt earlier this week. You don’t bring in another back like that if you’re feeling totally solid about your current guy’s health. Any move to add more options in the backfield is a pretty big sign that the team isn’t so sure Pacheco will be ready to roll against the Saints. They might be staring down their first game without their key runner.
The Lions kick off their season against the Saints, and without a clear answer on Pacheco, their backfield situation is getting messy. This new injury, on top of the old one, means they might be scrambling for answers before the first snap.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
Leave a Reply