Isiah Pacheco Hits IR as the Lions' Backfield Depth Takes a Hit

The Detroit Lions just placed running back Isiah Pacheco on injured reserve with a back injury, guaranteeing he will miss at least the next four games.

Leaving the Kansas City Chiefs to sign with Detroit was supposed to be a fresh start for Pacheco, but instead, he is collecting lower-body ailments like they are loyalty points.

"Tom Pelissero reported that Pacheco was placed on IR and is out at least four games."

He spent the entire preseason nursing an MCL sprain that had head coach Dan Campbell giving optimistic updates. Just when the knee started cooperating, his back decided to completely tap out.

Detroit brought Pacheco in this offseason to be the bruising complement to Jahmyr Gibbs. Last year, Pacheco managed 462 rushing yards and a single touchdown on the ground, which is exactly the kind of stat line that screams reliable backup rather than franchise savior.

But reliability requires actually being on the field. For fantasy managers who stashed him hoping for a sneaky goal-line vulture, or anyone eyeing Lions rushing props, you are now burning a roster spot on a guy who cannot legally put on a helmet for a month.

The Lions offense looked fine without him in their recent 25-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts, but NFL backfields are a war of attrition.

With Pacheco shelved for a minimum of four weeks, Detroit is officially one rolled ankle away from holding open tryouts at the local YMCA. Gibbs is going to have to carry the load while the front office scrambles for some emergency depth.