The Chiefs are re-signing Hunt to a one-year, $1.5 million contract Friday, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.
Hunt joined Kansas City last September in the wake of an early-season IR stint for Isiah Pacheco due to a fractured fibula. He served as the team's starter for a stretch and then split backfield reps with Pacheco once the latter returned to the lineup, up through the Chiefs' loss to Philadelphia in Super Bowl LIX. Hunt concluded the regular season with 200 carries for 728 yards and seven scores across 13 appearances, plus 23 catches for 176 yards through the air (32 targets). A full offseason to get back to 100 percent form may allow Pacheco to reclaim a firm grasp on the lead role of the Chiefs' backfield, which also added speedster Elijah Mitchell in free agency, but Hunt's solid showing in 2024 figures to leave him in position for a solid amount of complementary snaps. The exact pecking order of Kansas City's rushing attack may not gain clarity until training camp and/or the preseason.
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Chiefs' Kareem Hunt: Sticks to sidelines in Week 18
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Hunt did not log any snaps in Week 18 versus the Broncos.
Hunt was suited up for the regular-season finale, but it was announced prior to kickoff that he would likely be joining the group of players who wouldn't take the field with the No.1 seed locked up heading into the regular-season finale. That was indeed the case, and he'll instead take a bonus week of rest with a bye on tap before the Chiefs return to action in the divisional round.
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Chiefs' Kareem Hunt: Suiting up, but likely to rest
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Hunt (coach's decision) is active for Sunday's game against the Broncos.
Hunt didn't miss any practice time this week, but with the Chiefs having already clinched the AFC's No. 1 seed heading to regular-season finale and planning to rest multiple key players on both sides of the ball, he had been listed as doubtful heading into Sunday. Though he'll be in uniform Sunday, Hunt may just make a ceremonial start, if he even plays at all. Normal starting running back Isiah Pacheco (ribs) is also sitting out Sunday, so the Chiefs are expected to lean on Samaje Perine and Carson Steele as their primary options out of the backfield.
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Chiefs' Kareem Hunt: Doubtful with KC resting starters
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Hunt (coach's decision) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Broncos.
Hunt is among a multitude of key contributors expected to be rested for Sunday's regular-season finale, as the 15-1 Chiefs have already clinched the top seed in the AFC. Isiah Pacheco (rib) has been ruled out, so Samaje Perine and Carson Steele are the top candidates to flank Carson Wentz in Kansas City's backfield, while Keaontay Ingram's an option to be elevated from the practice squad.
Hunt rushed 13 times for 45 yards and secured one of two targets for four yards in the Chiefs' 21-7 win over the Browns on Sunday.
Hunt co-led the Chiefs in carries, tying backfield mate Isiah Pacheco in that category while drawing one more target than the latter. It was an interesting development following the Week 15 division of labor between the two, which saw Pacheco outpace Hunt in rush attempts by a 14-5 margin. Whether it's a one-week outlier or indicative of a stickier trend remains to be seen, but Hunt did outgain Pacheco, who was making only his third appearance since returning from an extended stay on IR due to fractured fibula, by 13 rushing yards.
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Chiefs' Kareem Hunt: Minimal work in Week 14
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Hunt posted five carries for 16 yards and caught his only target for 13 yards during Sunday's 19-17 win over the Chargers.
Hunt has seen a nosedive in his playing time over the last couple weeks, claiming just 20 snaps (29 percent of team snaps) in Week 14 compared to north of 50 percent when he was serving in the starting role. He's also seen just a combined 15 touches over the last two games after averaging 19.4 carries and 2.1 catches from Weeks 4-12, a massive downgrade in his workload. Hunt should continue to operate as the Chiefs' RB2 behind Isiah Pacheco, but he's a clear second on the depth chart at this juncture with a significantly lower fantasy ceiling than he previously sported as a starter.
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Chiefs' Kareem Hunt: RBs to Sit
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Isiah Pacheco returned in Week 13 against Las Vegas for the first time since suffering a broken leg in Week 2, and Hunt's production cratered. He had seven carries for 15 yards and two catches for no yards on four targets, and his nine total touches were the fewest he's had since returning to Kansas City in Week 4. The Chargers are No. 6 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, so you can't trust Hunt in a reduced workload, and he's a flex option at best in deeper leagues. As for Pacheco, he's worth using as a low-end No. 2 running back. He had seven carries for 44 yards against the Raiders, with one catch for 5 yards on one target. He played less snaps than Hunt, but Pacheco's workload should increase in Week 14.
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Chiefs' Kareem Hunt: Struggles with starter returning
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Hunt rushed seven times for 15 yards while catching two of four targets for no yards in Friday's 19-17 win over the Raiders.
Week 1 starter Isiah Pacheco (ankle) was activated from a 10-week stint on injured reserve to out-gain Hunt by 34 total yards on one less touch Friday. The latter remained involved with an even split in carries in the first game the two backs have played together this year. Hunt figures to maintain a minor role as both a rushing and a receiving option as Pacheco works back from a long layoff, but his value certainly took a hit Week 13. The Chiefs will have a couple of extra days off ahead of next Sunday's home tilt against the Chargers.
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Chiefs' Kareem Hunt: Remains lead back for Week 12
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Hunt will continue to lead Kansas City's backfield Week 12 against the Panthers, as Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Isiah Pacheco (ankle) won't be activated from injured reserve prior to Sunday's game.
Coach Andy Reid revealed Friday that Pacheco's absence will extend through Week 12. Hunt has logged at least 14 carries in all seven of his appearances for the Chiefs, and he's likely to handle another hefty workload Sunday against a Panthers defense that has allowed the most rushing touchdowns (14) and second-most rushing yards (1,339) to opposing running backs in 10 games this season.
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Chiefs' Kareem Hunt: RBs to Start
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We'll see if Isiah Pacheco (leg) returns in Week 12 at Carolina, and that will determine the outlook for Hunt in the majority of leagues. If Pacheco is active, then I still like Hunt as at least a flex option, but Hunt has top-10 upside if Pacheco remains out. Hunt had a down game in Week 11 at Buffalo with just six PPR points, but prior to that, he scored at least 13.3 PPR points in five games in a row. The Panthers are No. 1 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and a running back has scored at least 12.6 PPR points against Carolina in every game this season. For the year, 14 running backs have scored at least 12.1 PPR points against the Panthers, so this should be a big week for Hunt if Pacheco is out.
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Chiefs' Kareem Hunt: All 60 yards come on ground
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Hunt took 14 carries for 60 yards and was not targeted as a receiver in Sunday's 30-21 loss to the Bills.
Hunt turned in an adequate effort on the ground in tough road environment while garnering 14 of Kansas City's 17 rushing attempts in its first loss of the season. The veteran's fantasy day has a little less luster when you factor in the lack of touchdowns and involvement as a receiver. It was Hunt's first game since rejoining the Chiefs in which he did not receive a target. This ironically comes on the heels of a seven-catch effort against Denver in Week 10. The real concerning news for managers would be the potential return of starting tailback Isiah Pacheco (ankle), who is expected to return from injured reserve against the Panthers next Sunday, as reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
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Chiefs' Kareem Hunt: RBs to Start
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Hunt will remain the starting running back for the Chiefs in Week 11 against Buffalo since Isiah Pacheco (leg) isn't ready to return yet from injured reserve. And this is a good matchup for him against the Bills, who are No. 2 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. Hunt has scored at least 13.3 PPR points in five games in a row, including four outings with at least 17 PPR points. And I love that he had seven catches for 65 yards on 14 targets against Denver in Week 10. Hunt is a solid No. 2 Fantasy running back in all leagues.
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Chiefs' Kareem Hunt: Submits full practice
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Hunt (quadricep) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
For the second week in a row, Hunt is appearing on Kansas City's injury report with a listed quad issue, but his ability to practice fully Thursday clears up any concern about his availability for Sunday's game against the Broncos. With Isiah Pacheco (fibula) not expected to return from injured reserve until late November at the earliest, Hunt should be in line for at least two more outings as Kansas City's lead back. Though he's averaging a meager 3.7 yards per carry through five contests since signing with the Chiefs, Hunt has been a strong fantasy option on the back of heavy volume (at least 16 touches in each game) and a nose for the end zone (five touchdowns).
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Chiefs' Kareem Hunt: Limited to begin week again
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Hunt (quadricep) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday.
Hunt was limited in practice last Thursday due to the same injury but proceeded to upgrade to full participation before rushing for 106 yards and a touchdown in Monday's win over the Buccaneers. His fantasy managers will be hoping for a similar pattern ahead of Sunday's game against the Broncos, with little indication at this point that the Chiefs have any meaningful concern regarding Hunt's Week 10 availability.
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Chiefs' Kareem Hunt: Limited by quad issue
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Hunt (quad) was limited at practice Thursday.
Hunt began Week 8 preparation with a limited practice last Wednesday due to a hip issue. This time around, the running back is contending with a quad concern, which makes his status worth monitoring ahead of Monday night's game against the Buccaneers. In the Chiefs' win over the Raiders this past Sunday, Hunt logged 42 snaps on offense en route to carrying 21 times for 58 yards and a TD while catching his only target for four yards.
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Chiefs' Kareem Hunt: Logs limited practice
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Hunt was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice with a hip injury.
In Sunday's 28-18 win over the 49ers, Hunt carried 22 times for 78 yards and two touchdowns while catching both of his targets for five yards. Hunt wasn't reported to have suffered an injury at any point during the contest, so his listed limitations Wednesday could have been maintenance-related more so than due to concern about the health of his hip. In any event, the running back will probably need to practice fully by Friday in order to approach this weekend's game against the Raiders without an injury designation.
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Chiefs' Kareem Hunt: Continues to excel as starter
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Hunt rushed 22 times for 78 yards and two touchdowns while corralling both of his targets for five receiving yards in Sunday's 28-18 win over San Francisco.
Hunt maintained his status as lead back after churning out 102 rushing yards and a touchdown in his first official start for Kansas City in Week 5. The 29-year-old kept momentum rolling with another standout fantasy performance, this time punching in two scores on 20-plus touches against the 49ers on Sunday. Clyde Edwards-Helaire (reserve/NFI list) was activated earlier in the week to help replace the loss of starter Isiah Pacheco (fibula), but the former did not suit up for Sunday's contest. Hunt is thriving as the starter in Kansas City and does not appear to face any threats to his playing time, making the veteran back an elite fantasy option heading into a soft matchup against the Raiders next Sunday.
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Chiefs' Kareem Hunt: Highly effective in workhorse role
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Hunt rushed 27 times for 102 yards and a touchdown and brought in his only target for 15 yards in the Chiefs' 26-13 win over the Saints on Monday night.
Playing in only his second game of the season -- and as a Chief since 2018 -- Hunt handled a massive workload with aplomb while grinding out tough yardage throughout the night. Hunt's longest run was only eight yards, and his carry total was his highest since Week 16 of his rookie 2017 campaign. Hunt's involvement in the passing game was minimal despite his extensive body of work in that realm and the fact the Chiefs were down yet another pass catcher in Rashee Rice (IR, knee), but his standing as the unquestioned No. 1 back gives him plenty of momentum heading into a Week 7 road matchup against the 49ers following a Week 6 bye.
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Chiefs' Kareem Hunt: Set to play Monday
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Hunter does not carry an injury designation into Monday's contest against the Saints, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.
Meanwhile Clyde Edwards-Helaire (reserve/non-football illness list) is listed as doubtful and likely won't be activated come Monday. As a result, Hunt figures to once again command the most touches among a smorgasbord of available backfield options including Samaje Perine and Carson Steele, although the latter could remain in the doghouse with head coach Andy Reid after fumbling for a second consecutive week.
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Chiefs' Kareem Hunt: Another limited practice
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Hunt (shoulder) remained limited at practice Friday.
Hunt also was limited Thursday, so he'll presumably need to practice fully Saturday in order to avoid an injury designation ahead of Monday night's game against the Saints. In this past Sunday's 17-10 win over the Chargers, Hunt made his season debut and recorded a 45 percent snap share while carrying 14 times for 69 yards and adding two catches (on three targets) for 16 yards. On the heels of that effort, health permitting, he's poised to maintain a key role in Kansas City's Week 5 backfield, which also includes Samaje Perine (five carries last week) and Carson Steele (two carries versus Los Angeles) and may welcome back 2020 first-rounder Clyde Edwards-Helaire from the reserve/non-football illness list.
