One recreation up on the Payments however missing the head-to-head tiebreaker, the Chiefs have some work to do of their pursuit of incomes home-field benefit for a fourth time within the Patrick Mahomes QB1 period. They appear set to have some reinforcements coming quickly.
Respectively, in the IR- and PUP-return windows, Isiah Pacheco and Charles Omenihu are anticipated to play Friday in opposition to the Raiders, Andy Reid mentioned (via ESPN.com’s Adam Teicher). The Chiefs are in fine condition for damage activations, and since Omenihu is coming off the PUP listing, he is not going to depend towards the eight-activation whole. Pacheco coming again will nonetheless depart Kansas Metropolis with six such moves available.
Pacheco has been out since Week 2, struggling a fractured fibula, whereas Omenihu has not performed since happening with a torn ACL in final season’s AFC championship recreation. The Chiefs opened each contributors’ observe home windows on Nov. 13. Whereas this might have given the duo one other week to return earlier than re-emerging on the energetic roster, the group is ready to deploy each in opposition to the Raiders.
Pacheco’s comeback represents a extra necessary growth, because the Chiefs have turned to retread Kareem Hunt in his place. A former seventh-round choose, Pacheco underwent surgical procedure however had been a candidate to come back in late November. His return will test in inside that timeframe and supply the Chiefs with the choice of both turning again to Pacheco in a full-time function or forming a committee with Hunt — reacquired within the wake of Pacheco’s damage — down the stretch. Hunt leads the Chiefs with 577 dashing yards, although he’s averaging simply 3.7 per carry and ranks final in rush yards over anticipated (minus-74), per Subsequent Gen Stats.
Shortly usurping Clyde Edwards-Helaire as Kansas Metropolis’s prime again in 2022, Pacheco can have an opportunity to make a push for a second contract within the coming weeks. The Chiefs have Pacheco — a two-time 800-plus-yard rusher, combining for 12 dashing TDs from 2022-23 — signed by way of the 2025 season, however the Rutgers alum turns into extension-eligible in January. The Chiefs haven’t signed off on a notable RB contract since Jamaal Charles‘ two-year, $18M extension in 2014, although they have been believed to have pursued Josh Jacobs
this offseason. Pacheco will carry an eventual determination for the AFC energy, having offered super worth from his No. 251 general draft slot.
Connected to a three-year, $24M deal, Omenihu has began the previous two seasons late. The Chiefs signed the defensive finish with the expectation he could be suspended for a home violence arrest, and Omenihu made an affect throughout an abbreviated first season in Kansas Metropolis. He registered a career-high seven sacks final season, including one other within the Baltimore matchup earlier than the ACL tear. No Chief has greater than 4 sacks to date this season, with George Karlaftis main method (4) on a Chris Jones-centered D-line. Offseason re-signing Michael Danna continues to start out at Kansas Metropolis’s different D-end spot, however Omenihu stands to offer a doubtlessly impactful rotational presence alongside commerce addition Josh Uche.
