When it comes to the upcoming preseason game against the Cleveland Browns, history suggests that Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid will likely rest most of his starters. However, there’s one player who might benefit from some on-field action before the regular season begins on September 7th: second-year running back Isiah Pacheco.
Throughout training camp, Pacheco has been wearing a yellow non-contact practice jersey due to injury concerns. He reportedly played in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVII victory over the Philadelphia Eagles with a broken hand and torn labrum. Consequently, he hasn’t participated in any contact drills during the offseason preparation leading up to the regular season.
When asked about the possibility of Pacheco playing in the preseason finale against the Browns, Coach Reid stated that there’s a chance, pending medical clearance. Reid acknowledged that it’s been challenging to hold Pacheco back, but the running back has been using mental reps to enhance his understanding of the offense during his second season with the Chiefs.
Despite the frustration of not being able to participate fully, Pacheco has focused on learning and improving through mental reps and detailed understanding of the playbook. He has been proactive in asking questions and gaining insights from Coach Reid.
On Monday, Pacheco made progress as he shed the yellow non-contact jersey for the first time since training camp started. Reid regarded this development as a positive step, hinting that Pacheco might be closer to getting back on the field for game action.
The Chiefs bolstered their wide receiver corps on Monday by signing former XFL standout Juwan Green.
Green, who played college football at Albany and led the FCS in touchdown receptions with 17 in 2019, showcased his skills in the XFL. In the 2022 season, he had an impressive stint with the Seattle Sea Dragons, recording 29 receptions for 420 yards and six touchdowns. His performance included seven catches for over 20 yards and two for over 40 yards, one of which was a 56-yard grab.
Before his XFL experience, Green had NFL exposure through various teams. He had stints with the Atlanta Falcons (2020-2021), Detroit Lions (2021), and Tennessee Titans (2022) over the last four seasons. Despite his NFL journey, he’s yet to make his regular-season debut as a professional player.
As the Chiefs welcome Green into their roster, they also made a corresponding move by waiving wide receiver Kekoa Crawford.
Photo credit – You Tube screen shot / KSHB-41 / Kansas City, MO
