After giving undrafted rookie running back Carson Steele the starting nod the last two games, the Kansas City Chiefs are making a switch at the position. According to Matt Derrick of Chiefs Digest, veteran Kareem Hunt will be the Chiefs’ starting RB against the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football in Week 5.
Hunt signed with Kansas City’s practice squad on September 17 and saw his first game action during the team’s 17-10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4. In that game, Hunt was the primary back in the wake of Steele’s first-quarter fumble and ran the ball 14 times for 69 yards. He also caught two passes on three targets for 16 yards.
With Steele having fumbled twice in a three-game span, the Chiefs will now rely on Hunt, who is less prone to turn the ball over. However, Kansas City is likely to take a hot-hand approach at RB moving forward, so this isn’t the last we’ve seen from Steele. Veteran Samaje Perine will still be a regular part of the rotation as well.
In Week 5, Hunt and the Chiefs offense will face a Saints defense that has allowed the sixth-fewest rushing yards per game (96.5), per ESPN.
Andy Reid: We Have a Lot of Trust in Kareem
While speaking to the media on September 30, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid evaluated Hunt’s Week 4 performance.
“I thought he (Kareem Hunt) ran hard, and I thought he was pretty accurate with the holes that he hit,” Reid said during his press conference. “He did well. He had a couple receptions there so — and then an opportunity from even a couple others, we had a screen there called for him. I think we all have a lot of trust in Kareem since he had been here and we kind of know how he’s wired, and he’s been able to pick stuff up pretty quick. I think we’re okay there increasing him.”
Hunt spoke to the media on Saturday, October 5, and expressed his excitement for Monday’s game, which will be his first game at Arrowhead Stadium since re-joining the Chiefs, and what he will do when he scores his first touchdown of the 2024 season.
“I’ve been thinking about that since I got here,” Hunt said, via Pete Sweeney of Arrowhead Pride. “Honestly, I don’t know what I’m gonna do — but I’m gonna be excited.”
X Users Chatted About Kareem Hunt Ahead of MNF
Users on X — formerly Twitter — chatted about Hunt ahead of the Chiefs-Saints Monday Night Football matchup.
“Kareem Hunt looks like the RB1 in KC now and his usage tonight will reflect that,” betting expert Cody Brown wrote. “He had 14 rush attempts last week and the Chiefs have utilized the run a lot… They average 28 rush attempts per game this season. Hunt’s line is 10.5 attempts and I expect him to cover this.”
“My best bet for Monday Night Football is Kareem Hunt over 45.5 yards rushing,” another person wrote. “The Saints have allowed this number in its last two games and in Hunts first game he was given 14 carries and eclipsed this number. With no Rice, Reid will want to get ground game established.”
“Very interested in watching 3 things in the Chiefs game tonight that have huge fantasy implications: 1: How will Xavier Worthy be used without Rashee Rice? 2: Will Kareem Hunt be used like a true RB 1? 3: Will Travis Kelce have another great game?” fantasy football analyst Luke Sawhook wrote.
Devon Clements covers the Kansas City Chiefs and Indianapolis Colts for Heavy.com. A New England native who has covered the NFL since 2017, his previous bylines include USA Today's Sports Media Group and Sports Illustrated. More about Devon Clements
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