Kansas City Chiefs hero played through TWO major injuries in Super Bowl

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco played through both a broken hand and a torn labrum to play a major role in the team’s Super Bowl win.

Back in February, the Chiefs secured a dramatic 38-35 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII which will go down in history as an all-time classic. Patrick Mahomes threw for 182 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Chiefs to a sensational win, which was secured by a late field goal from kicker Harrison Butker with just eight seconds remaining.

While Mahomes took home the game’s MVP honours, their rookie running back impressed too. A rookie hadn’t scored a touchdown in the Super Bowl since Sony Michel four years ago, but Pacheco rushed for 76 yard and a score.

Pacheco was a key part of the Chiefs’ offensive game plan - and it has emerged he played through two injuries. The 24-year-old underwent a pair of surgeries after suffering a broken hand and a torn labrum en route to Super Bowl glory.

Pacheco suffered the broken hand during the AFC Championship win over the Cincinnati Bengals and he underwent surgery to fix it just a week after the season ended. On Monday, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid suggested Pacheco is recovering as the franchise finished its three-day rookie training camp.

“He's making progress,” Reid said. “We'll just see how he does with it. I can't even give you a timeline on it, but he's doing well.”

Isiah Pacheco broke his hand in the AFC Championship Game against the Cincinnati Bengals (Getty Images)

Across his rookie campaign, Pacheco led the Chiefs in rushing with 830 yards and five touchdowns from 170 carries. He was selected in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft but managed to beat out former first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire as the starter early in the campaign.

Pacheco - who also rushed 37 times for 197 yards and a touchdown in the playoffs - is expected to be the starter when he is fit. The Chiefs did not sign a veteran in free agency or pick a prospect in the draft, retaining Pacheco along with Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon for 2023.

The Chiefs are set to begin offseason practice later in May before training camp commences in July.