The Kansas City Chiefs are 3-0 despite some early-season issues on offense.
Isiah Pacheco’s injury hit the running game, Travis Kelce has just eight receptions for 69 yards, and Patrick Mahomes admits he has not been at his best.
Kelce has not been his usual self this season
Andy Reid has decided to shuffle his deck with second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia struggling at left tackle.
Second-year lineman Wanya Morris will take his place against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday after Reid decided to bench the rookie.
Undrafted free agent Carson Steele stepped up well in Week 3 as he tried to fill the void left by Pacheco – rushing for 72 yards on 17 carries in a 22-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
And he will have extra help in the backfield this weekend thanks to a familiar face in Kansas City.
Kareem Hunt was signed in the wake of Pacheco’s injury and has been elevated from the practice squad after sitting out against the Falcons.
The running back starred as a rookie but was released by the Chiefs six years ago after a video surfaced of him in an altercation with a woman – the Chiefs said he ‘was not truthful’ about the incident in their statement.
Hunt rebuilt his career with his hometown Cleveland Browns and is delighted to be back where his NFL journey started.
“It’s still hard to envision,” he said.
“I guess once that day comes, it’s gonna feel real.
“It’s been a long time coming. I can’t wait to put on the red again and go out there with these guys and put it all on the line for them.
Hunt was sensational in his first stint with the Chiefs
Mahomes says he is trying to rediscover his best form
“I envision going out there and whatever I’m asked to do, do it at the highest level and help find a way to keep this winning going on around here.”
The Chiefs believe Hunt has matured since his controversial exit, and adding a dual-threat back should open up more opportunities for Kelce and Co.
“We just thought he needed a change of scenery and get some help and take care of business there and we felt like he did that,” Reid said.
“He did a nice job in Cleveland, and we talked to the people there and there were no issues there, so we felt OK by bringing him back. It looks like he’s grown up.
“I think people deserve a second chance if they’ve done something to work on the first part of it.”
Hunt was drafted alongside Chiefs quarterback Mahomes were both drafted in 2017.
Third-round pick Hunt rushed for a league-high 1,327 yards, caught 53 passes, and scored 11 touchdowns.
He remained close with Mahomes and was at his teammate’s wedding in Hawaii two years ago.
“Everybody has friends that make mistakes – obviously some are bigger than others – but, at the same time, you want to make the person better,” said the superstar passer.
“You want to see them taking the right steps to become a better person for themselves, their family and the rest of society.
“And so, I think you’ve seen that with Kareem, and so I’ve stayed in touch with him just to see how he’s doing, how his family’s doing, everything like that.
“He’s been able to carve out a great career in the NFL, but I mean you’ve seen he’s been able to keep his nose clean and be a better person and that’s what you want in order to make everybody better people.”
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