The running back position for the Kansas City Chiefs is one of the more intriguing groups to watch for the rest of the preseason as the organization closes down training camp in St. Joseph, Missouri, on Wednesday.
Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, Elijah Mitchell, Brashard Smith, Carson Steele, and newly signed Michael Wiley are in a fierce battle for roster spots, and it'd be a surprise for the franchise to keep more than four backs barring an injury designation.
That's what makes Wednesday's news about Hunt all the more surprising. Unfortunately, the 30-year-old back is suffering through some sort of ailment.
Kareem Hunt has a quad contusion.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) August 13, 2025
Chiefs RB Kareem Hunt Doesn't Participate in Final Training Camp Day
As noted by @ChiefsBlitz on X (formerly known as Twitter), Hunt didn't have a helmet on Wednesday and was seen working on the sidelines with trainers. The team later provided an update, saying Hunt was out with a quad contusion. This is the first time that we've seen Hunt have an issue at camp, so it's precarious timing with the second preseason game coming up on Friday.
Hunt's roster spot is seemingly secure, though his on-field role is not. The rookie Smith is pushing him for third-down snaps despite special teams coordinator Dave Toub's frustration, and that youthful energy could prove to be a problem for Hunt down the line.
After a long journey, Hunt returned to the organization that drafted him midseason in 2024, becoming the feature back while Pacheco recovered from an ankle injury. He led the team in yards from scrimmage with 904 and seven TDs, suggesting there's still some juice left in the tank.
He's not the player he was during his rookie campaign in 2017 when he led the league in rushing yardage (1,327), yet he's still a productive player regardless. If Hunt can be used in a moderate role instead of a primary one, he could be one of the better per-touch backs in the NFL next year. Should the offense rely on him in a similar manner that it did last year, trouble could arise.
Hunt's age (30) is a notable one for running backs, as it's typically around the time that the mileage catches up to them and production falls. Hunt has 1,230 carries under his belt along with 249 catches, which is a lot of mileage for a plodding type of player.
If he doesn't have the agility from his youth and then suddenly starts suffering injuries, Hunt may not be long for the franchise. Here's hoping Hunt's Wednesday practice is merely an anomaly and not a sign of things to come.