The Chiefs are hoping to have Kareem Hunt back on the field in the next few weeks, as the veteran running back gets familiar with the offense to help replace Isiah Pacheco, who has a potentially season-ending ankle injury.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid mentioned on Wednesday that it’s unlikely Hunt will be ready to play this weekend when they travel to face Atlanta. However, he didn’t rule out Hunt’s return soon, especially if he can remember the route concepts and terms he learned during his first two seasons in Kansas City.
“I want to see where he’s at. I want to see him working today,” Reid said. “See where he’s at and I’ll be able to judge better.”
Hunt joined the Chiefs’ practice squad on Tuesday, just two days after Pacheco injured his ankle in the last minutes of their 26-25 win over Cincinnati. Pacheco was scheduled for surgery on Wednesday, and it’s still unclear how long he will be out.
This Sunday night against the Falcons, the Chiefs will likely rely on undrafted rookie Carson Steele and veteran Samaje Perine. They also promoted third-year player Keaontay Ingram from the practice squad for additional support.
“He had a really good camp for us. We felt comfortable moving him up,” Reid said. “If you get moved up, you’re expected to be ready to play, and I think he’s done that. He’s worked hard on the scout team.”
Hunt will start this week with the scout team as he continues his career, which has come full circle.
The Chiefs drafted him in the third round in 2017 from Toledo, and he quickly made a name for himself, rushing for a league-high 1,327 yards and eight touchdowns as a rookie. The next season, he ran for 824 yards and seven touchdowns in the first 11 games with Patrick Mahomes as the starting quarterback.
