Overview
- Detroit coach Dan Campbell confirmed Monday that Isiah Pacheco had back surgery to remove a loose body pressing on a nerve and that he will be out for a significant period with an approximate 12-week recovery timeline reported by NFL Network.
- Pacheco was already on injured reserve with a designation to return and did not make his Lions debut in Week 1 after earlier suffering an MCL sprain in training camp followed by the back issue.
- Jahmyr Gibbs carried a heavy load in the season opener, totaling 29 rushes for 156 yards and two touchdowns, a usage level that the team cannot sustain over the long term.
- Detroit’s internal depth is thin, with Sione Vaki and Jacob Saylors available but unproven in larger roles and the Lions evaluating veteran free agents such as Kareem Hunt, Joe Mixon, Alexander Mattison and Miles Sanders for short-term insurance.
- Pacheco joined Detroit on a one-year deal after four seasons with Kansas City, he has prior leg injuries that raised durability concerns, and Dr. Robert Watkins IV was reported to have performed the procedure which leaves a December return possible but not guaranteed.