This is Kareem Hunt’s second trip to Kansas City.
The veteran running back signed with the Chiefs’ practice squad Tuesday after it was announced that star running back Isiah Pacheco would be out six to eight weeks with a fractured fibula. Hunt gives the defending Super Bowl champions another option in the backfield as the team looks to navigate the first half of the season without Pacheco.
Hunt began his career with the Chiefs, spending the first two seasons of his NFL tenure with the Chiefs after being selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. His first stint in Kansas City ended in controversy, and he ultimately landed in Cleveland.
Hunt is now back, aiming to compete for starting reps in Patrick Mahomes’ offense.
Will Hunt be available for Week 3’s game against the Falcons? Here’s what you need to know about the running back’s status this week.
Will Kareem Hunt play this week?
Chiefs coach Andy Reid told reporters Friday that Hunt will not play Sunday in Atlanta.
#Chefs Coach Andy Reid said RB Kareem Hunt, who was just signed this week and is on the practice squad, will not play Sunday. He’s not quite ready yet.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 20, 2024
It wasn’t initially clear if the running back would be available to play this week for Kansas City in the game against the Falcons. Given that the team signed him to the practice squad, it appears they’ll give him time to get back into shape before he plays in a game.
Reid said earlier this week that the team “go with the guys we have here at the moment,“but that was before Hunt signed.
“I have confidence in [our running backs]”, Reid said. “I just haven’t experienced that with them. [Carson Steele] He likes to be challenged. This will be a good challenge for him. He has to keep the ball high and tight. He lost the ball yesterday. He’s not used to doing that. He has to learn from that.
Will Kareem Hunt start for the Chiefs in Week 3?
Hunt won’t play for Kansas City in Week 3, and Reid has yet to address his specific role with the team in terms of where he fits on the current depth chart. However, it’s likely the running back will be elevated off the practice squad before the Chiefs play the Chargers.
Kareem Hunt or Carson Steele
As Hunt gets up to speed on his fitness and the Chiefs’ playbook, it appears Carson Steele is on the verge of getting his first NFL start.
The undrafted free agent out of UCLA started this season as a fullback for Kansas City. However, with Pachecho out and veteran Samaje Perine being used more in the passing game, it opens the door for Steele to take over in the backfield.
That said, it may only be a matter of time before Hunt overtakes the rookie on the chart. That will depend on how Hunt, as well as Steele, perform in Pacheco’s absence.
WEEK 3 FANTASY RANKINGS:
QB | RB | WR | TE | D/ST | Kickers
Chiefs RB Depth Chart
| Rank | RB |
| No. 1 | Carson Steele |
| No. 2 | Samaje Perine |
| No. 3 | Keaontay Ingram |
| No. 4 | Kareem Hunt |
| No. 5 | Isiah Pacheco — IR |
No. 1. Carson Steele
Former UCLA standout Carson Steele had a strong preseason and earned a roster spot in Kansas City for the regular season. He could now be in a position to start in Pachecho’s absence. So far in 2024, he has nine carries for 27 yards and one fumble.
Steele is an aggressive runner who can inflict punishment on opponents as he moves down the field. He’s currently considered the team’s fullback, but with Pacheco out and Perine being used more as a receiver, it opens up the possibility for Steele to potentially record the majority of the team’s carries. He’s not particularly fast — at least not by NFL standards — but he has good vision and a willingness to break through defensive lines for short-yardage gains.
No. 2. Samaje Perine
Perine signed with the Chiefs this offseason after spending the 2023 season in Denver. The 29-year-old is used more in the passing game than the running game, as he is one of the league’s best receivers out of the backfield. He has used his soft hands and precise route running to great acclaim over his eight-year career.
So far in 2024, Perine has yet to be carried and has two receptions on three targets for 13 yards. He’s unlikely to be the sole ball carrier in Pacheco’s absence given his limited skill set, but he could be a more effective weapon for Mahomes in the passing game.
No. 3. Keaontay Ingram
The Chiefs signed Keaontay Ingram off the practice squad after Pachecho’s injury. The running back signed with Kansas City after spending the 2022 and 2023 seasons with Arizona.
Ingram rushed 35 times for 74 yards last season. An undrafted product out of USC, he’s not particularly fast, but he has strong vision and patience behind the offensive line to find holes.
No. 4. Kareem Hunt
After Pacheco’s injury, the Chiefs brought back a familiar face to the team: Kareem Hunt. The 2017 third-round pick by Kansas City began his career with the organization for two seasons before being released. He was with the Browns from 2019-23.
Hunt played in 15 games last season for Cleveland. He rushed 135 times for 411 yards, averaging a career-low 3.0 yards per carry. However, his nine touchdowns set a new career high for Hunt.
It may take him a while to get going, but Hunt could very well emerge as the Chiefs’ primary rusher in Pacheco’s absence.
No. 4. Isiah Pacheco — IR
Pacheco is clearly the best player in Reid’s offense when healthy. Now that he’s about to be sidelined for a few weeks, there will be a new No. 1.
So far in 2024, the Rutgers product has rushed for 135 yards and a touchdown on 34 carries. He is averaging 4.0 yards per carry, which is down slightly from his 4.6 yards per carry in 2023. He is an incredibly tough runner who looks to crush defenders when he gets the chance.
He was placed on IR and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks in 2024.
