It's take two for Kareem Hunt in Kansas City.
The veteran running back signed with the Chiefs practice squad Tuesday after the news that star running back Isiah Pacheco would be sidelined for 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 he was selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. His first stint in Kansas City ended in controversy , and he eventually landed in Cleveland.
Now, Hunt is back, aiming to compete for starting reps in the offense headlined by Patrick Mahomes.
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Will Hunt be available for the Week 3 game against the Falcons? Here's what to know about the running back's status for this week.
Will Kareem Hunt play this week?
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid told reporters Friday that Hunt won't play Sunday in Atlanta.
It originally wasn't clear whether or not the running back would be available to play this week for Kansas City in the matchup against the Falcons. Considering the team signed him to the practice squad, it appears as though they will give him time to get his conditioning up before he sees game action.
Reid said earlier this week that the team will " go with the guys that we have here for now, " however that was before the Hunt signing.
"I have confidence in [our running backs]," Reid said. "I just haven't experienced it with them. [Carson Steele] likes to be challenged. This will be a good challenge for him. He needs to keep the ball high and tight. He had the fumble yesterday. He doesn't have a history of that. He has to learn from it."
Will Kareem Hunt start for Chiefs in Week 3?
Hunt will not see the field for Kansas City in Week 3, and Reid has not spoken on his specific role for the team yet in terms of where he would sit on the current depth chart. However, it's likely the running back will be elevated off the practice squad ahead of the Chiefs following matchup against the Chargers.
MORE: Should fantasy users pick up Kareem Hunt this week?
Kareem Hunt or Carson Steele
With Hunt in the process of getting up to speed on his conditioning and the Chiefs playbook, it appears as though Carson Steele is in line to get his first start in the NFL.
The undrafted free agent out of UCLA began this season listed as a fullback for Kansas City. However, with Pachecho out and veteran Samaje Perine more utilized in the passing game, it opens the door for Steele to take over lead reps in the backfield.
With that said, it may be only a matter of time before Hunt surpasses the rookie on the depth chart. It will depend on Hunt's performance, as well as Steele's, in Pacheco's absence.
WEEK 3 FANTASY RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | 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 rode a strong preseason showing to a roster spot with Kansas City for the regular season. He now may be in line to be the starter with Pachecho sidelined. So far in 2024, he has nine carries for 27 yards and a fumble.
Steele is a bruising runner who can dish out punishment on opposition markers as he makes his way down the field. He currently is listed as the fullback for the team, but with Pacheco out and Perine used more as a receiver, it paves the way for Steele to potentially log the majority of carries on the team. He's not particularly speedy — at least not by NFL standards — but he has decent vision and his willingness to crash into defensive lines for short-yard gains.
No. 2. Samaje Perine
Perine signed with the Chiefs this offseason after spending the 2023 season in Denver. The 29-year-old is utilized more in the passing game than the rushing 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 during his eight-year career.
So far in 2024, Perine has yet to receive a carry and has two catches on three targets for 13 yards. It's unlikely he'll be the sole lead back with Pacheco out given his limited skillset, but he could be more of a weapon for Mahomes in the passing game.
No. 3. Keaontay Ingram
The Chiefs elevated 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 for 35 times for 74 yards last season. An undrafted product out of USC, he isn't especially quick, but has strong vision and patience behind the offensive line to find holes.
No. 4. Kareem Hunt
In the news of Pacheco's injury, the Chiefs brought back a familiar face into the fold — Kareem Hunt. The 2017 third-round pick by Kansas City started his career with the organization for two seasons before he was released. He was with the Browns from 2019 to 2023.
Hunt suited up for 15 games last season with Cleveland. He rushed 135 times for 411 yards, averaging 3.0 yards per carry — the lowest in his career. However, his nine touchdowns set a new career-high for Hunt.
It may take him a bit to see action, but Hunt very well could emerge as the lead rusher for the Chiefs in the absence of Pacheco.
No. 4. Isiah Pacheco — IR
Pacheco is the clear top dog in Reid's rush attack — when healthy. Now that he is set 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 a slight dip from his 4.6 yards per carry in 2023. He's an incredibly hard runner who looks to bulldoze over defenders when given the chance.
He was placed on IR and is set to miss 6-8 weeks in 2024.
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