The Kanas City Chiefs are banged up at running back. Starter Isaiah Pacheco is out for the next month-plus after fracturing his fibula in the Chiefs’ Week 2 win over the Cincinnati Bengals Chiefs head coach Andy Reid suggested rookie Carson Steele – who serves as the team’s fullback – could take on a larger workload.
The Chiefs added reinforcements, though, signing former starter Kareem Hunt in free agency for a reunion that had been six years in the making.
Tyreek Hill was still in KC when Hunt last donned a Chiefs uniform.
Tyreek Hill Reacts to Kareem Hunt’s Return to Chiefs
Kareem Hunt Back With Cheifs Amid Isiah Pacheco’s Injury
“My boy Kareem back in kc I love it,” Hill, who now stars for the AFC rival Miami Dolphins, posted on X on September 17.
The Browns will get a healthy Kareem Hunt in Week 9… pic.twitter.com/crz2Aodc9g
— DAWGS🔸 (@BrownsnOrange) June 8, 2019
“Reunion: Veteran RB Kareem Hunt is signing with the #Chiefs practice squad, per source,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported on X on September 17. “After the injury to Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City brought in Hunt — the team’s 2017 third-round pick — for a workout. He should have a chance to play soon.”
Hunt spent five seasons with the Cleveland Browns from 2019 through the 2023 campaign. He rushed for 2,285 yards and 25 touchdowns on 577 carries in that span; a 4.0-yards-per-carry clip, including 135 carries for 411 yards and a career-best 9 touchdowns in 2023.
Hunt was a Pro Bowler and led the NFL in rushing as a rookie in 2017.
The Chiefs selected Hunt with the No. 86 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the now 29-year-old Hunt has carried the ball north of 100 times in three of the last four seasons.
He has passed that mark five times in his seven-year NFL career. Steele rushed nine times for 27 yards alongside and then in relief of Pacheco. The Chiefs also have former Bengals and Denver Broncos runner Samaje Perine on the roster. Steele and Perine should handle duties, at least until Hunt gets back up to speed.
He was not part of an offseason program after hitting free agency in May. His familiarity with the offense should speed up that process, though.
Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes Shouts Out Jason Kelce
On the eve of the Chiefs deal, Monday Night Football featured a pair of the top feature backs in the NFL in Bijan Robison and Saquon Barkley. The former’s Atlanta Falcons got the better of Barkley’s Philadelphia Eagles and the former New York Giant was at the forefront.
Before Barkley’s drop ended the game though, former Eagles center and Super Bowl champion Jason Kelce took the stage for the pregame show as he transitions to a broadcasting career.
Kelce proceeded to dance enthusiastically, drawing a shoutout from Patrick Mahomes.
“go crazy then!! @JasonKelce,” Mahomes said while quoting a clip of the now-retired NFL star’s dance moves.
Jason Kelce is BACK in Philly 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/TlsaCV81Wf
— ESPN (@espn) September 16, 2024
Kelce is far from new to the media world. He hosts the “New Heights” podcast with brother and Chiefs star Travis Kelce. He has also seen his endorsement career take off, appearing in commercials for Tide laundry detergent and Buffalo Wild Wings.
Main Photo: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images:
