Chiefs RB Kareem Hunt Officially Out for Falcons Matchup: What’s Next for Kansas City?

**KANSAS CITY, Mo. —** In a surprising turn of events, newly signed running back Kareem Hunt will not take the field in this Sunday night's matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, according to Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. Hunt, who joined Kansas City’s practice squad earlier this week, is still getting acclimated post-signing.

Reid noted on Friday, “We’ll see how it goes next week and see where he is at. He got a lot of reps this week with a scout team, so that was good for him to get in there and run around and get back into the football part. He did well. He’s in decent shape now, and he needs an opportunity to play a football game somewhere to tell you the rest.” Hunt returned to the team where it all began, but fans will have to wait a bit longer to see him in action.

In Hunt's absence, Kansas City will rely on undrafted rookie Carson Steele, veteran Samaje Perine, and Keaontay Ingram, who was promoted from the practice squad just for this game, to fill the running back position. This shift comes after the unfortunate loss of Isiah Pacheco, who suffered a broken fibula and was placed on injured reserve this week.

Interestingly, Kareem Hunt was a third-round pick for the Chiefs in the 2017 NFL Draft—a year that also saw the team land star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. During his stellar rookie season, Hunt rushed for a league-leading 1,327 yards, had 53 receptions, and scored 11 touchdowns, placing him among the league's elite running backs.

However, his promising career took a downturn in 2018 when video footage surfaced showing him in a violent altercation, resulting in the NFL placing him on the commissioner’s exempt list. The Chiefs, asserting that Hunt had not been truthful about the incident, made the difficult decision to release him.

For the past five seasons, Hunt played for the Cleveland Browns, where he continued to showcase his talent. The 2020 season proved to be the pinnacle of his performance in Cleveland, with 841 rushing yards and 38 receptions. In contrast, his previous season saw a decline, with 411 rushing yards and only 15 catches.

As the Chiefs gear up for the game without Hunt, the real question lingers: Can Kansas City’s makeshift backfield step up against a formidable Falcons defense? Fans will be on the edge of their seats to see how the team adapts in Hunt's brief absence and if he’ll make a grand return in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!