The Kansas City Chiefs are eager to shake off their first loss of the season in Week 11 against the Buffalo Bills and quickly regain their momentum. Despite dealing with a string of injuries throughout the year, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, there is growing optimism that the team may soon see improvements in terms of player availability and performance.
One of the most encouraging signs for the Chiefs is that every player on their active roster participated in practice on Wednesday, a positive development as they enter the final stretch of the regular season. With just seven weeks remaining, getting healthier could prove crucial for the team’s playoff aspirations.
Two notable names on the practice field were running back Isiah Pacheco and defensive end Charles Omenihu, both of whom have spent a significant portion of the season on injured reserve. Pacheco, who played a key role in the Chiefs’ offense last year, had been sidelined with an injury, while Omenihu, a crucial part of the defense, had been recovering from his own injury.
Both were activated from injured reserve last week, and although they didn’t see any action against the Bills, the fact that they were back practicing, even if in a limited capacity, is a positive indicator for their potential return to the lineup. Their participation in practice, particularly as the team prepares for their upcoming game against the Carolina Panthers, is a sign that they could be ready to contribute once again.
Head coach Andy Reid provided some insight into their status during a post-practice press conference. When asked about the chances of Pacheco and Omenihu being active for Sunday’s game, Reid explained that their availability would depend on how they progress throughout the week.
We’ll see on both those two, Charles and [Pacheco], kind of go through practice, see where we’re at this week and go from there, but we’ll just have to see,” Reid said. “Day-by-day type of thing.” This indicates that the coaching staff is taking a cautious, wait-and-see approach, closely monitoring how both players respond to practice and recovery efforts before making a final decision on their status for the game.
The Chiefs’ ability to get key contributors like Pacheco and Omenihu back on the field could significantly bolster both their offense and defense, especially as they aim to recover from their loss to Buffalo and push for a strong finish to the season. With the stakes rising as the playoffs approach, having these players available could be a game-changer for Kansas City’s depth and overall performance.
