Chiefs HC Andy Reid makes a strong statement about RB Kareem Hunt's chances to play in Week 3 vs. the Falcons
The Kansas City Chiefs have officially reunited with RB Kareem Hunt, but when could the former 2017 NFL draft pick first see the field? The Chiefs plan to ramp up Hunt on the practice squad before eventually promoting him to the 53-man roster. That doesn't necessarily mean that he won't be able to play in Week 3 […]
The Kansas City Chiefs have officially reunited with RB Kareem Hunt, but when could the former 2017 NFL draft pick first see the field?
The Chiefs plan to ramp up Hunt on the practice squad before eventually promoting him to the 53-man roster. That doesn't necessarily mean that he won't be able to play in Week 3 against the Atlanta Falcons on "Sunday Night Football."
“We’ll get him (Kareem Hunt) in here and get (him) some work," Chiefs HC Andy Reid said on Wednesday. "Kind of get him back into the swing of playing and then we’ll just see. As the game gets closer, we’ll see how things go there and so on, but we’ll try to get him in a position where he’s ready to play either this week, next week, or the following week. We’ll just see how long it takes.”
Hunt did not participate in any training camps or offseason activities with another team. So part of the equation is simply conditioning and getting him physically ready to play football. However, Hunt did show up to Kansas City in good shape, which was evidenced in the brief look media members had at practice on Wednesday.
Asked whether there's a realistic chance that Hunt could suit up and play in Week 3, Reid did not rule out the possibility. He wouldn't say he's stepping in for the injury Pacheco, though.
“Yeah, there’s a chance," Reid said. "(We’re) going to try and see where we’re at. As far as the other part, we’ve got other guys that can jump in and play for (Isiah Pacheco).”
If Hunt is ready, the team can sign him to the 53-man roster as they still have an open roster space after Wednesday's flurry of transactions. They also can elevate him from the practice squad.
What will Kareem Hunt's role with the Chiefs be when he is ready?
The Chiefs are still trying to figure out what Hunt can offer the team at this juncture. At 29 years old, Hunt isn't the spring chicken he was when Kansas City drafted him out of Toledo.
“I want to see where he’s (Kareem Hunt) at," Reid said. "I want to see him out there working today and where he’s at. I’ll probably have him doing more scout team stuff today than actually in with the group but let’s see where he’s at and I’ll be able to judge it from there. He’ll have some retention from the stuff that we’ve done here and he’s a sharp kid. He can pick everything up that’s new but let’s get him started first and kind of see where we’re at with him.”
What could Hunt realistically retain of the Chiefs' offense after not being a part of it in over five seasons? Reid explained that there are a few things that haven't changed, but also a few things he'll need to adapt to in his return.
“He’ll (Kareem Hunt) know the base protections (and) he’ll know the base runs," Reid said. "Some of the routes are a bit new but we’re not flexing him out and making him do all that, so he’s just got to – some of the terminology – he’s just got to hear some of the route terminology. Right now, it’s job-specific for that team. It’s not like you’re coming into training camp, and you’ve got 300 plays (to learn), so he’s just got to make sure he stays in tune with that.”
If Hunt does happen to play on Sunday night expect his role in the game to be fairly limited. He won't be getting a bounty of touches, but he could see a package of plays on a given series, likely working in relief for Carson Steele, Samaje Perine, and potentially Keaontay Ingram.
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