Pacheco limped off the field in the fourth quarter and left the stadium with a walker and crutches. The running back led the Chiefs on Sunday with 90 yards on 19 rushing attempts and also caught five balls for 21 yards.

The typical recovery time for a fibula fracture is four to eight weeks, depending on the severity, so the Chiefs will likely be without Pacheco for at least the next month, if not longer.

Pacheco’s injury comes after the Chiefs were already without Hollywood Brown for the foreseeable future. Clyde Edwards-Helaire is also on the reserve/non-football illness list.

The next question is how Reid fills the void. The club signed Samaje Perine, who has played primarily as a pass catcher. Undrafted rookie Carson Steele took over the late runs between the tackles on Sunday and could get a more prominent role on early downs.

Reid told reporters Monday that the current plan is to “continue with the guys we have now,” but added that general manager Brett Veach may look for a veteran.

The Chiefs will indeed have a familiar face in attendance on Tuesday: Kareem Hunt, NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero reported per sources. Hunt, 29, spent his first two seasons with the Chiefs — he led the league with 1,327 rushing yards in his rookie season in 2017 — before playing the last five years with the Browns. KC could also bring back free agent Jerick McKinnon to fill the void.

Neither option will bring the same ferocity and energy that Pacheco adds to the Patrick Mahomes-led offense.