Kareem Hunt lasted just one week on the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad before he was promoted to the team’s active roster.
The Chiefs signed the veteran running back to their 53-man roster on Tuesday to join their backfield rotation, according to ESPN’s Field Yates. Keaontay Ingram, who was signed from Kansas City’s practice squad to the active roster before the team’s 22-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons, was released to make room for Hunt.
Kansas City signed Hunt ahead of Week 3 after the team’s starting running back Isiah Pacheco suffered a leg injury that will keep him out for 6-to-8 weeks. Hunt was selected by the Chiefs in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft, so it was believed he would get up to speed on Andy Reid’s offense quickly to play a role in the team’s backfield rotation.
Hunt’s signing shows he has achieved that goal, and now, the only question is about how the Chiefs will utilize the eighth-year back.
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
Chiefs RB depth chart
The Chiefs have just three running backs on their 53-man roster after signing Hunt and releasing Ingram. They are as follows:
Carson Steele
Samaje Perine
Kareem Hunt
Steele and Perine were the only running backs to see action in Kansas City’s first game without Pacheco against Atlanta. They each played a key role in the backfield, with Steele serving as the team’s primary between-the-tackles option while Perine was used more in passing situations.
Steele played 62 percent of the Chiefs’ snaps while Perine played the other 38 percent. The workload was split in a similar fashion, as Steele racked up 19 touches (17 carries) and Perine had just nine (six carries). Steele outgained Perine 72-25 on the ground while Perine bested Steele through the air 15-2.
Steele and Perine seem likely to reprise these roles in Week 4, but will they cede snaps to Hunt? That also seems likely — even if the veteran isn’t yet ready for a big role.
Kareem Hunt fantasy outlook
It isn’t yet clear exactly what role Hunt will play in Kansas City’s backfield. The 29-year-old remained unsigned through the first two weeks of the 2024 NFL season, so it remains to be seen whether he is in game shape or will need time to get up to speed.
That said, Hunt boasts a well-rounded skill set as a runner and receiver. That could make him an ideal fit in Kansas City’s rotation as a hybrid back, especially since Steele and Perine were largely used for specific, one-dimensional roles against the Falcons.
With that in mind, Hunt has a high ceiling. And if he gets up to speed in Kansas City’s offense quickly, he could emerge as the Chiefs’ primary runner during Pacheco’s multi-week absence.
But also, Hunt is coming off the worst season of his career with the Browns. He averaged a paltry 3 yards per carry on 135 totes and caught a career-low 15 passes for 85 yards. If he can’t recapture some of the explosiveness he showed early during his NFL career, Hunt may find himself in a true, three-way platoon with Steele and Perine. That would make each back a frustrating, touchdown-dependent flex.
The good news for those considering Hunt? He generated a career-high nine rushing touchdowns during the 2023 season despite his otherwise mediocre performance. That could make him the preferred goal-line option for the Chiefs, especially considering his track record of good ball security (he has five fumbles on 1,256 career touches).
That touchdown potential should be enough to make Hunt worth a speculative waiver claim, especially for teams thin at the running back position. But the better move for forward-looking fantasy owners may be to scoop up Clyde Edwards-Helaire, the team’s regular backup who is eligible to come off the NFI list as soon as Week 5.
All the NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY’s 4th and Monday newsletter.
