Isiah Pacheco Injury Update: When Will the Lions RB Return?

Isiah Pacheco is set to miss 12 weeks of football after undergoing back surgery.

Isiah Pacheco Injury Update: When Will the Lions RB Return?

Isiah Pacheco (Image via Yahoo Sports)

Isiah Pacheco signed with the Detroit Lions for a fresh start. He was viewed as an RB2 behind Jahmyr Gibbs. But Pacheco has to wait a bit longer to make his debut for his new club.

According to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Pacheco underwent surgery recently. The surgeon operated on his back.


RB Isiah Pacheco had surgery to remove a body that was pressing on a nerve in his back, source said. It’s a 12 week recovery with a chance he’s back by early in December.

Rapoport tweeted

Pacheco suffered an MCL injury early on in the camp and missed some time. Upon Pacheco’s return, head coach Dan Campbell told the media that he could be ready to play in the season’s opening fixture against the New Orleans Saints.

We feel pretty good about him being ready to go, especially when the season gets here.

Dan Campbell said via Detroit media

However, in late August, reports emerged that Pacheco was dealing with a back injury. Campbell did not deny it but declined to elaborate.

I can’t give you anything definitive… [Isiah] is feeling better as of [Wednesday]. It’s been a little touch and go right now. He’s had a little bit of a back [issue], and we’re hoping he’s coming out of this as of [Wednesday] a little bit.

Campbell said

On September 1, the Lions placed Pacheco on the injured reserve list. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Pacheco would miss the Lions’ first four games.

The timeline of Pacheco’s return has been pushed further back due to undergoing back surgery. He will not return to active duty until the first week of December.

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Isiah Pacheco fell out of favor with the Kansas City Chiefs

Pacheco played four years of college football for Rutgers. The Kansas City Chiefs selected him in the seventh round. In his rookie campaign, Pacheco had 170 carries for 830 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Isiah Pacheco Injury Update: When Will the Lions RB Return?
Isiah Pacheco (Image via IMAGO)

He improved in his second season. In just 14 games, he rushed 205 times for 935 yards and scored 7 touchdowns. He won two Super Bowls.

Pacheco described his running style as uniquely aggressive.

The funniest one that I thought was they said that I run like I bite people. I ain’t no zombie. That was crazy. That was one of the funniest ones. You said, ‘I run like I bite the ground/grass,’ that’s crazy. It’s a great opinion. For me, it’s just being determined and that I have a goal to achieve, and we want to get the job done.

Pacheco said via NFL.com

However, injuries kept piling up. Ahead of the Chiefs’ Week 3 fixture in 2024, Pacheco fractured his fibula and did not return until Week 13. He played just seven games.

The Chiefs collectively had a poor 2025 season. Pacheco suffered more than others. He only scored 1 touchdown on 118 carries in 13 appearances.

KC did not extend Pacheco after his four-year rookie contract ran out. He was released in the offseason. Shortly after, the Lions signed him to a one-year, $1.81 million contract extension.

The Lions start the 2026 season with a victory over the Saints

On Sunday, September 13, the Lions hosted fellow NFC side, the Saints, at Ford Field. Jahmyr Gibbs started as the Lions’ lead back, with 2024 fourth-round draft pick Stone Vaki as his second in command.

Gibbs rushed 29 times for 156 yards and scored 2 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 5 passes for 30 yards.

The game required additional time to decide the outcome. The Lions eventually edged out the Saints by just one point. It finished 31-30. In Week 2, the Lions face the Buffalo Bills at the newly constructed Highmark Stadium.

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