Overview
- Detroit coach Dan Campbell said Thursday that Pacheco has developed a back issue on top of an earlier MCL sprain, that the knee "is not the concern," and that the team has no definitive return timeline.
- Pacheco's availability for the Sept. 13 season opener at New Orleans is now uncertain and his Week 1 status is described as in jeopardy by multiple reports.
- The Lions have already moved to shore up the backfield by meeting with free agent Kareem Hunt, signing Roydell Williams and placing Raheem Blackshear on injured reserve.
- Pacheco was signed to a one-year, $1.81 million deal to provide veteran balance behind breakout starter Jahmyr Gibbs and his potential absence would remove that experienced compliment from Detroit's planned rotation.
- If Pacheco is not ready the team could increase carries for Gibbs, give a larger role to inexperienced backups such as Jacob Saylors or Sione Vaki, or pursue another veteran addition in the coming days.