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Lions' Pacheco Undergoes Back Surgery, Expected to Miss Significant Time
Confirmed
In Short: Lions running back Isiah Pacheco will miss a significant amount of time after undergoing back surgery, with a target return in December.
Lions running back Isiah Pacheco underwent back surgery on Monday, announced by coach Dan Campbell. The procedure was to remove a body pressing on a nerve in his back, with a 12-week recovery period expected, according to ESPN.
It'll be a significant amount of time,' Campbell said, adding that Pacheco had already missed some time due to an MCL sprain during training camp, which is no longer an issue.
Pacheco signed a one-year contract with the Lions after Detroit traded veteran running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans. He spent the last four seasons with the Chiefs and was a two-time Super Bowl champion, registering 1,765 yards in his first two seasons in the league.
With Pacheco out, the Lions offense will lean more heavily on Jahmyr Gibbs, who handled 29 of the team's 31 backfield carries in Week 1 against the Saints, turning them into 156 yards and two touchdowns. Sione Vaki also takes on a more significant role.
What's confirmed
- Lions running back Isiah Pacheco underwent back surgery on Monday, announced by coach Dan Campbell. The procedure was to remove a body pressing on a nerve in his back, with a 12-week recovery period expected, according to ESPN.
- It'll be a significant amount of time,' Campbell said, adding that Pacheco had already missed some time due to an MCL sprain during training camp, which is no longer an issue.
- Pacheco signed a one-year contract with the Lions after Detroit traded veteran running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans. He spent the last four seasons with the Chiefs and was a two-time Super Bowl champion, registering 1,765 yards in his first two seasons in the league.
- With Pacheco out, the Lions offense will lean more heavily on Jahmyr Gibbs, who handled 29 of the team's 31 backfield carries in Week 1 against the Saints, turning them into 156 yards and two touchdowns. Sione Vaki also takes on a more significant role.
What's still developing
- According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the running back is expected to be sidelined 12 weeks, giving him a "chance" to return sometime in December.
- Pacheco was already on injured reserve, but he's looking at a lengthy recovery.
- Sione Vaki played 22 snaps on offense but touched the ball just three times for 18 yards.