Chiefs will need to find balance with Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt - ESPN

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Ever since losing their featured running back and noted energy-giver Isiah Pacheco to a broken right leg two months ago, the Kansas City Chiefs have been preparing for his return to the lineup.

«It's going to be us trying to hold him back because he's a guy that wants to be out there as much as possible and he wants to play,'' quarterback Patrick Mahomes said.

»At the same time he wants to win. He knows the long-term goal that we have. Our goal is to get him back as quickly as possible, but at the best time for him and his body so that we can have him for the long haul."

Pacheco's return is finally near and he will likely play in Friday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium (3 p.m. ET, Prime Video). Coach Andy Reid said earlier in the week that Pacheco would play against the Raiders as long as he had no setbacks.

Though the Chiefs would welcome his return, his role could be clouded by the presence of his replacement, Kareem Hunt, who was signed after Pacheco was placed on the injured reserve list. He quickly took over as the featured back and leads the Chiefs in rushing with 577 yards.

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The Chiefs will have an interesting decision to make regarding how to split the playing time.

«Both of them are good players so we'll find a way to get both of them in,'' coach Andy Reid said. „That's a good problem to have.“

Reid's history with running backs since joining the Chiefs in 2013 offers few clues to his plans. When he has had a back he's comfortable with in a featured role,