Will Kareem Hunt play this week? Latest news, updates on Chiefs RB depth chart for Week 4

The Chiefs have a new offensive weapon in their arsenal, but they kept him off the field in Week 3.

Kareem Hunt is back in the organization less than six years after he was unceremoniously cut following video of a domestic violence incident surfaced. Hunt served a suspension and returned to the league as a complement to Nick Chubb in Cleveland, but he returned to where it all started after Isiah Pacheco went down with a fractured leg in Week 1.

Hunt wasn't ready to play in Week 3, according to Andy Reid. Instead, rookie Carson Steele saw the bulk of carries for the Chiefs, with Samaje Perine also in the mix. Will Hunt be ready to go against the Chargers?

Here's what you need to know about Hunt's status for Week 4.

MORE: Revisiting Kareem Hunt's first stint with Chiefs

Will Kareem Hunt play this week?

Hunt was signed to the Chiefs' active roster on Tuesday, putting him in position to potentially make his season debut against the Chargers.

Do the Chiefs plan to use Hunt? Reid indicated Wednesday that the veteran will be involved in some form on Sunday.

"We'll get him back into the swing of things and see how it rolls," Reid said, adding that Hunt is in "pretty good shape" as he gets up to speed.

The next step, Reid said, is seeing Hunt in game action. While Steele and Perine were able to hold down the fort in last week's win over the Falcons, Hunt has familiarity in a Reid offense and could give Patrick Mahomes another pass-catcher out of the backfield.

Will Kareem Hunt start for Chiefs in Week 4?

Reid all but pledged to get Hunt some game action against the Chargers, but it would be a surprise if he started for Kansas City. Steele got the start in Week 3, receiving 17 carries and rushing for 72 yards. That should be enough to keep him as the starter out of the backfield.

It will be worth watching whether Hunt cuts into Perine's touches. Both are capable pass-catchers, and Hunt got used to a change-of-pace role in Cleveland. That might not be enough of a role for Hunt to make a serious fantasy impact in Week 4, but it's a way to at least get him up to speed in the Chiefs' offense.

WEEK 4 FANTASY RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

Chiefs RB depth chart

* — Out 6-8 weeks with fractured fibula

With Pacheco out, Steele has ascended to the top of the Chiefs' running back depth chart.

The undrafted rookie and his pet alligator were little-known entering the season, but he looked capable when given a full-time opportunity in Week 3 and appears to have gained Reid's trust.

Perine was brought in at the end of training camp to be a change-of-pace back next to Pacheco, and it's a luxury for the Chiefs to have a player with eight years of NFL experience next to the inexperienced Steele. Perine is more of a pass-catcher and hasn't handled more than 100 carries in a season since 2017, though, so Hunt could give the Chiefs a stronger option out on the ground while still bringing the pass-catching ability to the table.

At this point, Steele and Perine are ahead of Hunt on the depth chart. Hunt's workload against the Chargers will be the first indication of whether he's close to leaping one or both of them.