In a surprising turn of events, the Kansas City Chiefs have reunited with former running back Kareem Hunt following news that Isiah Pacheco will be sidelined for 6 to 8 weeks due to a fractured fibula. This move not only strengthens the Chiefs’ running back lineup but also brings back a familiar face who once made a significant impact during his time in Kansas City.
Hunt, a third-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, had an impressive start with the Chiefs, amassing 2,984 yards from scrimmage in just 27 regular-season games over two seasons. However, his career took a downturn after an off-field incident in 2018 led to his release from the team. Hunt later acknowledged his mistakes, admitting, “I was in the wrong,” and expressed regret for not being completely honest with the organization.
After spending the last five seasons with the Cleveland Browns, where he recorded 3,342 yards from scrimmage and 32 touchdowns, Hunt’s performance dipped in 2023. Despite this, he was the Chiefs’ first choice when they learned about Pacheco’s injury.
Head coach Andy Reid addressed Hunt’s return during a press conference, stating that they plan to get him back into game shape and see how quickly he can contribute. Reid mentioned that there is a possibility Hunt could play against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 3.
When asked about bringing Hunt back after his previous departure, Reid explained that they believed he needed a fresh start and some time to address personal issues. He noted that Hunt had matured during his time in Cleveland and that conversations with people there reassured them about his readiness to return.
Reid also highlighted the importance of maintaining open communication with Hunt. He had spoken with him at Patrick Mahomes’s wedding and again when he arrived in Kansas City this week. Reid emphasized the need for Hunt to stay focused and keep out of trouble moving forward.
As the Chiefs prepare for their upcoming game, fans are excited about Hunt’s return and hopeful for what this reunion could mean for the team’s performance on the field. With Pacheco out, all eyes will be on how quickly Hunt can integrate back into the Chiefs’ dynamic offensive scheme.
Chiefs Signing RB Kareem Hunt to Practice Squad, Completing KC Reunion – Reports.
The Kansas City Chiefs are reuniting with a familiar face as the team is reportedly signing running back Kareem Hunt to the practice squad.
Reported by Nate Taylor of The Athletic, Hunt now returns to the team that drafted him in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
With starting running back Isiah Pacheco reportedly set to miss 6–8 weeks due to a fractured fibula, it’s no surprise that the Chiefs wanted to add depth at the position. It was, to most, a surprise that Hunt was the first back to visit Kansas City. Hunt was waived following an off-the-field incident in 2018 and later admitted that he “didn’t tell [the Chiefs] everything,” leading to the team choosing to cut Hunt even after he racked up nearly 3,000 yards from scrimmage in 27 games with the Chiefs.
Hunt spent the 2019–23 seasons with the Cleveland Browns, with his most productive year coming in 2020. Last season, Hunt appeared in 15 games and carried the ball 135 times for 411 yards, good for 3.0 yards per carry, a career-low. He also caught 15 passes for 84 yards, also hitting a career-low 5.6 yards per reception. At 29 years old, it’s hard to project Hunt’s fit in the Chiefs’ offense as he slots in behind undrafted free agent rookie Carson Steele and veteran Samaje Perine, who is just over a month younger than Hunt.
On Monday, head coach Andy Reid acknowledged that general manager Brett Veach would be looking at options to reload the running back room in Pacheco’s absence behind Steele and Perine, though practice squad backs Emani Bailey and Keaontay Ingram may have an early advantage after spending training camp and the preseason with the Chiefs.
“As far as Pacheco goes, we’ll go with the guys that we have here now,” Reid said. “Veach is kind of going through his list and looking at people, and we’ll just see where that goes. But we’re blessed to have some good people here.”
Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid Lament Turnover Woes After Chiefs Beat Bengals.
After the Kansas City Chiefs’ narrow 26-25 win against the Cincinnati Bengals, head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes reflected on a key factor that made the victory so close: the team’s three turnovers, including two interceptions thrown by Mahomes.
Reid emphasized the importance of avoiding turnovers, stating, “So what do we learn from this? Turnovers. They kill you. They very seldom give you an opportunity to win the game. So if you come out with a win with three turnovers, that’s a plus, but we’ve got to take care of business there.”
When discussing Mahomes’s first interception, Reid explained how the Bengals’ defense, particularly linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither, capitalized on a misread by Mahomes. “He [Mahomes] was waiting on [Travis] Kelce just to break in… he didn’t see it was a Cover-2 look, and the backside linebacker snuck right in,” Reid noted.
In his postgame comments, Mahomes was more critical of the mistakes made during the game. “I thought we did a lot of good things, but obviously the three turnovers just can’t happen,” he said. He acknowledged that he needed to be more aware of the backside linebacker on his first interception and praised the Bengals’ defense for making a great play on his second pick. Mahomes expressed relief that they managed to win despite not playing as cleanly as they would have liked, highlighting the team’s overall resilience.
Reid also addressed rookie running back Carson Steele’s fumble in the first half and his approach to working with young players after such mistakes. “You’ve got to keep the ball up against your body in this league,” Reid explained. “He had two hands on it, but it started rising up, and all of a sudden you get it punched out. It’s something you can learn from; you just can’t do that at this level.”
With Isiah Pacheco’s injury status uncertain for upcoming games, Steele may see an increased role early in his NFL career as the Chiefs prepare for their next matchup.
Andy Reid Not Ready to Name Chiefs Left Tackle Starter for Week 3 vs. Falcons.
In the closing moments of the Kansas City Chiefs’ victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, head coach Andy Reid made a significant adjustment to the offensive lineup. After struggling against Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, Reid replaced rookie left tackle Kingsley Suamataia with second-year tackle Wanya Morris. Following the game, Reid mentioned that he would need to review the film before determining who would start in Week 3 against the Atlanta Falcons. During his media session on Monday, Reid was still undecided on a starter.
“I haven’t made a decision yet regarding the starter,” Reid said about Suamataia. “He obviously has areas to improve on. As I mentioned last night, I felt we needed to take a step back in order to move forward. Whether he plays or not this week, I believe that was the right choice. We haven’t lost faith in him; he faced a strong opponent and needs to learn from this experience. He acknowledged that he needs to improve.”
Reid also addressed rookie running back Carson Steele’s fumble in the first half and his tendency to continue giving young players opportunities after early mistakes. “He’s another young player,” Reid noted. “In this league, you have to keep the ball close to your body. He had it low, and even with two hands on it, it can get punched out. It’s a lesson learned; you can’t make those mistakes at this level. However, he came back and ran hard for us.”
As the Chiefs prepare for their upcoming game, they will need to assess their options carefully, especially with Isiah Pacheco’s status uncertain due to his injury.
#Chiefs LT Kingsley Suamataia says his veteran teammates told him to "keep [his] head up," but the rookie isn't giving himself any grace:
"Should've never happened in the first place."#ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/mkcyIEtAh4
— Marleah Campbell (@MarleahKCTV5) September 16, 2024
Later in his Monday press conference, Andy Reid was asked about the offensive line’s performance in the running game. While Reid felt they executed well in the ground attack, he acknowledged there were still areas for improvement across the entire unit.
“We’ve got to build on that, though,” Reid stated. “There were a couple issues here and there in the pass game, it wasn’t just Kingsley, there were other guys involved too. Kingsley’s was more magnified, there were more of them, but there were other breakdowns that we had, so we’ve got to make sure we tighten that up a little bit.”
Reid’s comments suggest that while rookie left tackle Kingsley Suamataia struggled in pass protection, he was not the only offensive lineman who had breakdowns. The head coach emphasized the need for the entire front five to clean up their technique in the passing game moving forward, even as they look to build on their strong performance running the ball.
Reports: Isiah Pacheco Out 6–8 Weeks, Chiefs Schedule Kareem Hunt Visit.
On Monday afternoon, two significant reports emerged almost simultaneously, shedding light on the Kansas City Chiefs’ running back situation. Adam Schefter of ESPN and Ian Rapoport broke the news that running back Isiah Pacheco will be out for 6 to 8 weeks due to a fractured fibula, sidelining the Chiefs’ primary running back for a substantial portion of the regular season.
In light of Pacheco’s injury, Schefter reported that the Chiefs are bringing in free agent running back Kareem Hunt for a visit on Tuesday. This move presents an opportunity for Hunt to reunite with the team that drafted him in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Hunt had a notable career with the Chiefs during his initial two seasons, accumulating nearly 3,000 yards from scrimmage before being released in 2018 following an off-field incident. He later acknowledged his mistakes and has since played for the Cleveland Browns from 2019 to 2023, where he continued to make an impact despite experiencing a decline in performance last season.
As the Chiefs navigate Pacheco’s absence, they are looking to strengthen their running back lineup, making Hunt’s potential return a compelling storyline for fans and analysts alike.
With RB Isiah Pacheco expected to be sidelined 6-8 weeks, the Chiefs are bringing their former RB Kareem Hunt back to Kansas City for a Tuesday visit, per league sources. Hunt could help fill the Chiefs’ running back void. pic.twitter.com/2NBZwJAthq
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 16, 2024
Kareem Hunt had a standout rookie season with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017, rushing for 1,327 yards after being drafted in the third round. However, he was waived by the team in December 2018 following an off-field incident.
With starting running back Isiah Pacheco sidelined for 6-8 weeks due to a fractured fibula, the Chiefs are looking to bolster their backfield. Head coach Andy Reid acknowledged that general manager Brett Veach is exploring options to address the position.
“As far as Pacheco goes, we’ll go with the guys that we have here now,” Reid said. “Veach is kind of going through his list and looking at people, and we’ll just see where that goes. But we’re blessed to have some good people here.”
The Chiefs currently have open roster spots, having waived tight end Peyton Hendershot on Monday. Hunt or another free agent could initially join the practice squad with the potential to be elevated to the active roster once they are comfortable in the offense.
Hunt’s familiarity with Reid’s system and quarterback Patrick Mahomes may provide a smoother transition compared to other available running backs. However, the 29-year-old has not rushed for 500 yards in a season since 2020.
The Chiefs desperately need depth behind Carson Steele and Samaje Perine, but it remains to be seen if Hunt will surpass practice squad running backs Keaontay Ingram and Emani Bailey on the depth chart. This situation will likely unfold in the coming days as the Chiefs prepare to face the Atlanta Falcons in Week 3.
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