On March 12, the Detroit Lions signed two-time Super Bowl champion Isiah Pacheco to pair with Jahmyr Gibbs in a move that excited fans. However, despite Dan Campbell's confidence in the duo, a serious health warning has now emerged about Pacheco.

Jimmy Liao, MD, gave a medical outlook on several players in his recent Detroit Lions Morning Rounds. While he assigned Jahmyr Gibbs a zero-risk rating, Isiah Pacheco didn't receive the same clean bill of health. The doctor gave Isiah a 6 out of 10 in terms of medical concern.

“In the past four seasons, Pacheco has accumulated a variety of injuries: MCL, fractured fibula, shoulder surgery, concussion, toe/ankle, hand fracture, and more,” wrote the doctor.

In his report, Jimmy Liao, MD, noted that the running back's production has declined in recent years, but he remains hopeful that the veteran regains his health and stays healthy throughout the season.

The doctor is not wrong. Pacheco's production has declined drastically since his standout 2023 campaign with the Kansas City Chiefs. He rushed for 935 yards and seven touchdowns that season.

Injuries derailed his 2024 campaign, while in 2025, he managed just 118 carries for 462 yards and one touchdown.

Other than his rookie season, Pacheco has yet to appear in all 17 games in a season.

Preparing for a comeback this season, the former Chief has been laser-focused on learning the Lions' playbook and finding ways to make an impact wherever needed. In addition to that, he has also promised not to make the same mistake twice.

“They got their own culture here, and I love being a part of it so far since I got here,” Pacheco told reporters on day one of minicamp, per Sports Illustrated. “It’s the grit. You got guys willing to compete every single time we get a chance.”

Sky-high expectations surround the former Super Bowl winner, but can he live up to them?

What does Isiah Pacheco bring to the Detroit Lions?

The Lions might not ask Pacheco to completely replace David Montgomery. However, they may want him to enhance the ground game alongside Jahmyr Gibbs.

In his seven years in the NFL, Montgomery has never gone below 700 rushing yards and has crossed the 1,000-yard mark twice. While Pacheco brings promise, Montgomery remains a class above.

Still, Pacheco's hard-nosed running style, relentless energy, and reliable pass-blocking ability make him a natural fit for Drew Petzing’s offense.

NFL insider Justin Carter wrote that Isiah Pacheco is poised for a strong season and could even exceed expectations if he remains healthy throughout the year.

“A healthy Pacheco can be that guy. Montgomery had 158 carries last season, so there should be plenty of available touches for Pacheco, and I think it's safe to say this Lions coaching staff knows how to maximize its running backs better than the Chiefs did,” wrote Fansided's Justin Carter.

On top of that, the Lions value his Super Bowl experience, which could prove invaluable as they continue their long pursuit of breaking through that barrier.

Do you think Isiah Pacheco will have a successful 2026 campaign?

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Written by

Suryakant Das

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote