Kansas City Chiefs to sign RB Kareem Hunt to replace injured Isiah Pacheco

Injuries breed opportunities in the NFL, and in the wake of Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco injuring his leg, a homecoming is now on the horizon.

With Pacheco expected to miss 6-8 weeks, the Chiefs are expected to sign free agent running back Kareem Hunt, who spent two seasons with Kansas City, leading the NFL in yards in 2017. NFL reporter Jordan Schultz relayed the move on Tuesday.

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Breaking: The #Chiefs are expected to sign free agent RB Kareem Hunt, per sources.

Hunt returns to Kansas City, where he was a Pro Bowler in 2017. He will help fill the void left by injured RB Isiah Pacheco – who’s expected to miss 6-8 weeks. pic.twitter.com/ycPlP2sU10

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) September 17, 2024

“Breaking: The #Chiefs are expected to sign free agent RB Kareem Hunt, per sources,” Schultz posted on X. “Hunt returns to Kansas City, where he was a Pro Bowler in 2017. He will help fill the void left by injured RB Isiah Pacheco – who’s expected to miss 6-8 weeks.”

After spending the better part of two seasons with the Chiefs, Hunt was released after a videotape came to light featuring Hunt pushing a woman to the ground and kicking her. He’d then sign with the Cleveland Browns, where he’s spent the last five seasons, before awaiting his next opportunity after the 2023 campaign.

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Perhaps Hunt will make the most of his return to the Chiefs, with Pacheco being placed on injured reserve, as expected. However, it’s been noted that he will be back this season, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

“Source: #Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco (fibula) expected to miss approximately 6-8 weeks. He’ll go on IR but plans to be back this year,” Fowler posted on Twitter Monday afternoon.

In the 26-25 victory, getting the Chiefs to 2-0, Pacheco ran 19 times for 90 yards and reeled in five catches for 21 yards. In two games this year, he had 135 rushing yards and one score.

Isiah Pacheco has been a revelation for the Chiefs since they drafted him in the seventh round out of Rutgers in 2022. Over the course of his career, he has 1,900 yards, 13 touchdowns, 4.6 yards per carry, 64 catches, 428 receiving yards and two touchdown receptions.

Pacheco played four years at Rutgers (2018-21) and finished his career with 563 carries for 2,442 yards, 18 touchdowns, 4.3 yards per carry, 47 catches, 249 receiving yards and one touchdown reception.

It’s no question that Isiah Pacheco will re-assume the starting running back duties when he’s healthy, but until then, Kareem Hunt has a golden opportunity to return to prominence in the NFL, inside one of the league’s best offenses.

On3’s Matt Connolly contributed to this article.