If you’re a fantasy manager who’s lost a star player in the first two weeks of the season, you’re certainly not alone. It’s been a brutal start to the season, with many big names either already out or expected to be out starting in Week 3. Names like Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp, Deebo Samuel, AJ Brown, Jordan Love, Tua Tagovailoa, and Isiah Pacheco are some of the biggest names that are disrupting the plans of many fantasy managers.
We’re going to take a closer look at Pacheco’s injury, but more specifically how the Chiefs are going to try to fix things in the running game while he’s out. Pacheco injured his fibula and is now on injured reserve. He’s expected to miss 6-8 weeks.
The Chiefs’ internal options were Carson Steele and Samaje Perine, with Clyde Edwards-Helaire eligible to return from IR after Week 4. But one name in particular has come to the forefront of speculation, and that’s Kareem Hunt. After a visit with the team, the Chiefs signed him to the practice squad, so should he be a priority for fantasy managers?
PPR FANTASY RANKINGS FOR WEEK 3
QB | RB | WR | TE | D/ST | Kickers
Should Kareem Hunt be a top waiver pick after signing with Kansas City to join the practice squad?
Kareem Hunt still has some value as a name, but will he be relevant in fantasy after joining the Chiefs’ practice squad? Hunt hasn’t really made a significant impact in fantasy since the 2020 season, when he rushed for 1,145 all-purpose yards and 11 TDs in his second season with the Browns. And the only season he topped the 1,000-yard mark on the ground was his rookie year with the Chiefs, when he rushed for 1,327 yards and eight touchdowns to go along with 53 receptions and three additional scores.
Hunt scored nine times for Cleveland last season, but he rushed for just 411 yards at a rate of 3.0 yards per attempt. That kind of touchdown production is unsustainable with rushing numbers like those, so it’s not terribly surprising that Hunt failed to latch on to a team during the offseason or preseason. So why would that change now for the Chiefs? They clearly prefer their in-house options Carson Steele and Samaje Perine, or Hunt would have been on this team already.
In fact, this situation reminds us a bit of when Dalvin Cook joined the Cowboys before the start of the season. Cook was once an elite running back, he still had name value, some fantasy managers got excited about him, and now Cook is unable to leave the practice squad and join Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle, both of whom have struggled so far.
Hunt currently ranks as the fifth most popular player drafted in Yahoo! fantasy leagues. Heading into Monday Night Football, Hunt was listed as a free agent, while every other player who played in Week 2 was listed as waiver-eligible. What does that mean? Well, it means Hunt had a bit of a head start on becoming a hot player, since managers were able to start drafting him before waivers.
But the Chiefs’ two internal options (Steele and Perine) are better waiver options, and Cam Akers is also a better choice if Joe Mixon has to miss time for the Texans. There are names further down the list like D’Onta Foreman and Gus Edwards who would be much better options than Hunt. And Edwards-Helaire might even be a better option, and he’s currently on IR recovering from PTSD.
Due to his name, Hunt will be a popular choice, but you’re better off letting another fantasy manager make the move unless your team is in the most desperate circumstances.
WEEK 3 QUITTING TIPS
Best Players to Target | How to Spend Your FAAB
Chiefs RB depth chart: Who are Isiah Pacheco’s replacements?
While the Chiefs could look outside for help with Isiah Pacheco arriving on IR, let’s take a closer look at the internal options and break down the depth chart in the running backs room.
Former UCLA standout Carson Steele, who earned a roster spot with a strong preseason performance, is probably the best bet to take over early in Isiah Pacheco’s absence. He has nine carries for 27 yards and one fumble so far this season.
Steele is known for his powerful running style, capable of delivering significant hits to defenders as he moves down the field. While he is currently considered the team’s starting back, Pacheco’s absence and Samaje Perine’s increased role as a receiver should give Steele the opportunity to take on a larger share of the carries.
Perine joined the Chiefs this offseason after being cut by the Broncos when the team cut its roster to 53 players. At 29, he’s more of a receiver in the backfield than a rusher, and he prides himself on being one of the league’s best pass catchers. His eight-year career has been defined by his reliable hands and precise running.
Perine has yet to record a single rushing attempt and has two receptions on three targets for 13 yards. With Pacheco sidelined, it’s unlikely that Perine will assume the lead-back role due to his limited running ability, but he could become a valuable asset to Mahomes in the passing game — similar to how Mahomes has used Jerick McKinnon in the past.
