Isiah Pacheco faces significant absence after Lions back surgery
Detroit running back Isiah Pacheco has undergone back surgery, with NFL Network reporting he could miss 12 weeks.
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco is expected to miss significant time after undergoing back surgery, coach Dan Campbell said on Monday.
NFL Network reported that the procedure removed a body pressing on a nerve in Pacheco’s back and estimated that he could be sidelined for 12 weeks. The Lions have not provided a more precise recovery timetable in the supplied material.
Pacheco joined Detroit on a one-year deal this off-season as the presumed power back behind Jahmyr Gibbs. He missed most of training camp with a sprained MCL and injured his back while recovering from the knee injury.
Gibbs carried the Lions’ backfield workload in the season opener, recording 29 carries for 156 yards and two touchdowns in Detroit’s 31–30 overtime win over New Orleans. He also caught five passes for 30 yards.
Sione Vaki took the No. 2 running-back role against the Saints, finishing with two carries for seven yards and one reception for 11 yards across 22 snaps. Campbell described Vaki’s performance as inconsistent, while saying Jacob Saylors could also receive offensive snaps against Buffalo.
