In an unfortunate turn of events, the Kansas City Chiefs are dealing with a significant blow to their running back room despite their 2-0 start. Isaiah Pacheco suffered a fractured fibula in the victory over the Bengals, leaving a void in the Chiefs’ lineup for the foreseeable future. This injury has implications for betting purposes, as well as updates on Cincinnati wide receiver Tee Higgins who has been sidelined with a hamstring issue.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that Pacheco will be “out for weeks” and is likely to be placed on injured reserve, meaning he will miss at least four games. Pacheco had a 75% snap rate before his injury, with Carson Steele and Samaje Perine filling in. Steele seems to be the primary option for player props as he has received all nine carries between the two. The Chiefs may also consider signing former RB Jerrick McKinnon to add to the mix and complicate the workload further.
Perine, who was claimed off waivers just before the season, has seen limited involvement, possibly due to still learning the offense. As the Chiefs prepare for their Week 3 matchup against Atlanta, betting markets for Steele and Perine will be closely monitored.
Meanwhile, Tee Higgins has yet to play this season due to his hamstring injury. His status for the upcoming game against Washington is uncertain, with the Bengals being a favorite. In Higgins’ absence, Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense managed to stay competitive against the Chiefs, with veteran tight end Mike Gesicki and second-year wideout Andrei Iosivas stepping up.
If Higgins remains sidelined for the Monday Night Football game, Gesicki and Iosivas are expected to play a significant role once again. However, their production could be affected by the game script, so it’s important to monitor how the game unfolds. The Bengals will need all hands on deck to secure a victory against Washington.
