Fantasy Alert: Kareem Hunt Joins Chiefs’ 53-Man Roster Due to Isiah Pacheco Injury | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats & Rumors

It looks like there is another running back for fantasy football players to consider with the Kansas City Chiefs.

ESPN’s Field Yates reported Tuesday that the AFC West team signed Kareem Hunt to its 53-man active roster ahead of Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Charge. The Chiefs also waived running back Keontay Ingraham as they continue to rotate the position after placing Isiah Pacheco on injured reserve with a fractured fibula.

There was a time when Hunt was considered a staple in fantasy circles.

As a rookie in 2017, he led the league with 1,327 rushing yards. He also had 455 receiving yards and 11 total touchdowns, which was a game-changer. Yet he hasn’t been able to replicate those numbers since, even with two seasons of 800-plus rushing yards.

Hunt has played with the Cleveland Browns for the past five seasons and has been a secondary playmaker in 2023 with 411 rushing yards, 84 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. While his touchdown numbers are solid, he has also averaged just 3.0 yards per carry as he has struggled to get away from the defense.

Given last year’s performance and the reality of the Chiefs’ roster, he likely won’t be a significant fantasy weapon, even on the active roster.

Carson Steele was the primary ball carrier in Sunday’s win over the Atlanta Falcons with 17 carries for 72 yards, while Samaje Perine will likely remain another option who has proven capable of making plays in the passing game throughout his career.

Perine had three catches and four targets in the game against the Falcons and recorded 50 catches last season with the Denver Broncos.

Add in the ability to use receiver Xavier Worthy on gadget plays as a runner, and the Chiefs have plenty of options to carry the ball without relying on Hunt. And Patrick Mahomes is still going to throw the ball more than 25 times per game, especially with Pacheco sidelined.

While he brings veteran depth to Kansas City on the field, fantasy players would have to be in desperate situations to consider starting or even rostering Hunt at this point.