The Kansas City Chiefs were dealt with a significant injury when running back Isiah Pacheco suffered a fractured fibula. The injury led to surgery and will sideline Pacheco for six to eight weeks.
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To help with veteran depth, the Chiefs brought back a very familiar face in Kareem Hunt. Hunt initially began his career with the Chiefs but was cut after a video emerged of him pushing down a woman and kicking her.
After the video surfaced, the Chiefs instantly cut Hunt. He would eventually move to the Cleveland Browns in 2019 but was suspended for the first eight games of the season.
Hunt’s rookie season in 2017 saw the dual-threat back secure 1,327 rushing yards and 455 receiving yards, including eight rushing touchdowns and three receiving touchdowns.
KANSAS CITY, MO – NOVEMBER 11: Kareem Hunt #27 of the Kansas City Chiefs tries to fight through the tackle attempt of Tre Boston #33 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of the game at Arrowhead Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. Chiefs RB Kareem Hunt wants to “shock” the world in his comeback.
David Eulitt/Getty Images
Since then, Hunt’s production has gone down quite a bit. He finished 2023 with 411 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns, and 84 receiving yards.
Despite the lower-than-usual production, Hunt is now prepared to “shock the world,” in his return with the Chiefs. Hunt spoke to reporters ahead of the Cheifs matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Hunt was asked if he is the “same player” he was when he played for the Chiefs in 2017 and if he is capable of producing like he did when he was part of the Kansas City team.
“I believe I’m very capable of that of that still. I’m excited to go shock the world and show them that I still got it.”
Hunt posting anything over 1,000 all-purpose yards would be extremely shocking, especially considering that nearly a quarter of the 2024 regular season is done. That’s also not to mention that the former Chiefs running back is 29 years old and a seven-season veteran.
Most running backs slow down when getting older, and the 495 total yards that Hunt produced in 2023 do not breed tons of confidence. However, Hunt wouldn’t be the first and last player to come back and go on a tear.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid also indicated that Hunt will be rotated in this week and should join a committee-type approach this Sunday. As it stands right now, Kansas City has rookie Carson Steele as RB1 and veteran Samaje Perine as RB2.
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With Steele’s first start happening against the Falcons, he put together 72 yards on the ground. With 17 carries, he posted a 4.2 yards per carry average.
Those are not terrible numbers by any means, and Steele should get another crack at starting on Sunday. However, Hunt could easily come in and take some carries away if he returns to any form of the running back he was with the Chiefs in 2017.
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