Photo Credit: Paul Barnick-Imagn Images
The Detroit Lions have placed running back Isiah Pacheco on injured reserve, ruling him out for at least the first four games of the 2026 regular season.
Pacheco has been dealing with a back injury after previously suffering an MCL sprain during training camp. The Lions announced the move Tuesday, leaving the veteran running back unavailable for the start of the season.
Detroit had hoped Pacheco would recover in time for the Sept. 13 opener against the New Orleans Saints. However, the back issue continued to limit him, preventing the 27-year-old from making his Lions debut as planned.
Lions Turn to Jahmyr Gibbs’ Other Backups
Pacheco joined Detroit during the offseason after spending his first four NFL seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Lions signed him to a one-year, $1.81 million contract after trading David Montgomery to the Houston Texans.
With Pacheco sidelined, Jahmyr Gibbs is expected to remain Detroit’s primary running back. Jacob Saylors, Sione Vaki and Jabari Small are the other running backs on the roster.
Saylors could receive the most immediate responsibility behind Gibbs after rushing for 100 yards in Detroit’s preseason victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Lions head coach Dan Campbell has expressed confidence in Saylors, pointing to his familiarity with the team’s terminology, protections and offensive system.
Detroit also worked out veteran running back Kareem Hunt recently but did not sign him.
Pacheco’s Injury-Plagued Run Continues
Pacheco entered Detroit after four seasons with Kansas City, where he helped the Chiefs win Super Bowl LVII and Super Bowl LVIII.
The seventh-round pick rushed for 830 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie in 2022 and developed into a key part of Kansas City’s offense. However, injuries have affected his production in recent seasons.
Pacheco broke his right fibula in 2024 and missed 10 games. He later dealt with another MCL injury before the back issue interrupted his first training camp with Detroit.
Last season, Pacheco appeared in 13 games for Kansas City, including 12 starts, rushing for 462 yards and one touchdown while adding 19 receptions for 101 yards and another score.
The earliest Pacheco can return from injured reserve is Oct. 11 against the Arizona Cardinals, following Detroit’s first four games against the Saints, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets and Carolina Panthers.
The Lions have also re-signed tight end Tyler Conklin to fill Pacheco’s roster spot while adding guard Elijah Klein and wide receiver Dominic Lovett to their practice squad.
