Chiefs sign Kareem Hunt to practice squad, promote RB Keaontay Ingram to active roster

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Isiah Pacheco’s injury left the Chiefs with just two running backs on their active roster: Carson Steele (although listed as a fullback) and Samaje Perine.

The team promoted running back Keaontay Ingram to the active roster on Wednesday morning and added former Chief Kareem Hunt to the practice squad.

Ingram is in his third NFL season, initially drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 2022.

Hunt was drafted by Kansas City in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He led the NFL in rushing as a rookie with 1,327 yards and was released by Kansas City a year later after video surfaced of him pushing a woman to the ground and kicking her.

ALSO READ: Chiefs-Bengals thriller at Arrowhead gets high viewer numbers for CBS

In an interview with ESPN in December 2018, Hunt said he lied to the organization about what happened.

The team also linebacker Cole Christiansen to an active roster contract, and brought back tight end Peyton Hendershot to the practice squad.

The Chiefs announced they had placed Pacheco on IR. He left Sunday afternoon’s 26-25 win over the Cincinnati Bengals with an injury to his fibula. Reid said Pacheco will have surgery on Wednesday and that there is no timeline for his return.

“We’ll see if it’s this season or next season (for his return),” the Chiefs coach said.

When asked if Hunt could play on Sunday, Reid said there was a chance.

“I want to see where he’s at. I want to see him working today,” Reid said. “See where he’s at and I’ll be able to judge better.”

Hunt signed with the Browns and served an eight-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal-conduct policy. He became a significant part of their backfield, running for 2,285 yards and five touchdowns over the past five years.

“A guy that plays hard, plays physical. Catches the ball out of the backfield. Still has explosion in between the tackles,” said Mahomes, who was part of the same 2017 draft class as Hunt, and has remained close friends with him.

In fact, Hunt attended Mahomes’ wedding and the two spoke frequently during his time in Cleveland.

“I just root for the person, to keep becoming a better and better person,” Mahomes said. “I’m glad to have him back in the building. I gave him a high-five and a hug when I saw him, because he’s a person I spent a lot of time with a long time ago.”

ALSO READ: Wanya Morris’ big-man touchdown showcases latest trick in Andy Reid’s playbook

Also, Mahomes said he was unsure whether rookie Kingsley Suamataia would start at left tackle against Atlanta after he was benched last weekend. Suamataia struggled to contain Bengals rusher Trey Hendrickson and was called for a couple of penalties, and Reid ultimately replaced him with Wanya Morris late in the game.

Morris also committed a penalty that nearly cost the Chiefs dearly on the drive that set up their winning field goal.

“I don’t make those decisions, at the end of the day,” Mahomes said. “I have a lot of trust in both of those guys. Kingsley had good snaps and bad snaps; that’s part of being a rookie and going against a good rusher. ... Wanya is getting better and better. I think the coaches will at the end of the day make a determination that is best for the team.”

ALSO READ: Kansas schedules charity exhibition against Arkansas, John Calipari in Razorback debut

Copyright 2024 KCTV. All rights reserved.