Head coach Andy Reid said Wednesday that there's a chance Hunt will play Sunday against the Falcons, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.
Hunt is currently on Kansas City's practice squad, but the team plans to bring the running back up to speed with the playbook in the coming days and see where he's at as the week progresses. With Isiah Pacheco (leg) on injured reserve and slated to miss at least four games, Hunt should have a chance down the road to claim a role in a Chiefs backfield that also currently includes Carson Steele, Samaje Perine and Keaontay Ingram. With that in mind, Hunt merits consideration from those with enough roster flexibility to add him to see how the void created by Pacheco's looming absence is filled.
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Kareem Hunt: Joins Kansas City's practice squad
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Hunt signed with the Chiefs' practice squad Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
After meeting with the team Tuesday, Hunt quickly came to an agreement on a deal. He'll begin his second stint in the organization as a member of the practice squad, but the 29-year-old could be elevated to the active roster as soon as this Sunday's game in Atlanta, with Kansas City in need of backfield depth with Isiah Pacheco (fibula) expected to miss 6-to-8 weeks. Rookie Carson Steele appears to be first in line for carries with Pacheco out of the mix, and Samaje Perine represents an experienced option on passing downs, but Hunt could eventually work his way up the depth chart if he's able to quickly re-familiarize himself with head coach Andy Reid's playbook. Though he won a rushing title as a rookie and accounted for more than 1,200 yards from scrimmage in Reid's offense in both of his first two NFL seasons before he was released in November 2018, Hunt looked well removed from his prime during his time with Cleveland last season. While appearing in 15 games for the Browns in 2023, Hunt averaged career-low marks in yards per carry (3.0) and yards per reception (5.6). However, he was slowed by a core-muscle injury before undergoing surgery in January, so Kansas City may be banking on a better version of Hunt showing up now that he's ostensibly healthy.
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Kareem Hunt: Set for visit with Chiefs
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Hunt is slated to visit Kansas City on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Hunt will visit the Chiefs with Isaiah Pacheco (fibula) expected to undergo surgery and miss at least six weeks due to an injury suffered in Sunday's win over the Bengals. The veteran running back boasts familiarity with coach Andy Reid's offensive scheme and could join Samaje Perine and Carson Steele to help fill the void left behind by Pacheco's absence. Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness) also will be a candidate to contribute in the backfield, though he won't be eligible to be activated to the 53-man roster until Week 5.
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Kareem Hunt: Remains unsigned
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Hunt, who remains a free agent, didn't sound optimistic last month about a potential return to the Browns, according to John Kampf of The News-Herald.
During the 2023 season, Hunt logged 135 carries for 411 yards and nine TDs, while adding 15 catches for 84 yards in 15 games with Cleveland. While top back, Nick Chubb continues to work his way back from a knee injury, D'Onta Foremanand Nyheim Hines (knee) were added this offseason to bolster a Cleveland backfield that also includes returnees Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong. Meanwhile, Hunt -- who is presumably past a sports hernia procedure -- remains without a team, though in June he indicated that he planned to remain patient on that front, noting that he'd be ready for his next opportunity come training camp.
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Browns' Kareem Hunt: Undergoes sports hernia surgery
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Hunt underwent surgery Tuesday to repair a ruptured adductor, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
The veteran back joined the Browns in Week 3 after Nick Chubb suffered a season-ending knee injury. Hunt then spent much of the season getting listed regularly on the injury report due to a groin issue. The 28-year-old saw significant usage in the red zone and finished the season with 495 total yards to go along with a career-high nine touchdowns as he heads back into free agency.
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Browns' Kareem Hunt: Two touchdowns in loss
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Hunt rushed the ball eight times for 26 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 45-14 loss to the Texans. He added five receptions on six targets for nine yards and another touchdown.
Hunt's 13 touches matched his highest total since Week 9. He was inefficient with the opportunity but was the only Brown to find the end zone, first on a one-yard run early in the first quarter and again on an 11-yard reception one quarter later. Hunt worked in tandem with Jerome Ford for much of the season, but he's set to become a free agent this offseason and may not be retained by the Browns pending the health of Nick Chubb (knee).
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Browns' Kareem Hunt: Logs limited practice
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Hunt (groin) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.
Hunt has been managing a groin injury of late, but he hasn't been forced to miss any games because of the issue. Based on his recent trend of practice participation, expect Hunt to log a full session Thursday approach Saturday's playoff opener against the Texans without an injury designation. Assuming that comes to pass, Hunt will be in line to reclaim his key complementary role out of the backfield behind starter Jerome Ford. Both backs were used sparingly in the Week 18 loss to the Bengals, as the Browns rested several regulars with the team having been locked in as the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoffs.
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Browns' Kareem Hunt: Not practicing Tuesday
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Hunt (groin) won't participate in Tuesday's practice, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.
Hunt was active for this past Sunday's 31-14 loss to the Bengals, but because the Browns were already locked in as the AFC's No. 5 seed, the coaching staff turned to third-stringer Pierre Strong (back) to handle a lead role in the backfield. Meanwhile, Hunt was limited to just seven snaps and finished with one touch -- a five-yard reception -- on the day, and usual starter Jerome Ford's usage was similarly light (19 snaps, five touches). If Hunt's activity level last week is any indication, he will resume practicing in full by Thursday and approach this Saturday's wild-card matchup with the Texans without an injury designation.
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Browns' Kareem Hunt: Limited in return to practice
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Hunt (groin) was a limited practice participant Thursday.
Despite making regular appearances on Cleveland injury reports since signing with the team in September, Hunt has played in each of the Browns' last 14 games. He likely would be able to play through the groin issue this Sunday against the Bengals if the Browns had something at stake, but with Cleveland locked into the No. 5 seed, head coach Kevin Stefanski could look to rest several key players in the regular-season finale. It's not yet clear if Hunt will ruled out before Sunday or made inactive for the contest, but even if he isn't, both he and starting running back Jerome Ford could be in store for smaller roles than usual.
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Browns' Kareem Hunt: To miss practice Wednesday
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Hunt (groin) won't participate in Wednesday's practice, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Hunt tended to a groin injury during Week 4 prep, then avoided the issue until Week 13, at which point it began to affect his practice reps. His efficiency has suffered over the last five games (2.7 yards on his 46 carries), but he's also scored three rushing touchdowns during that span. The Browns are locked in as the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoffs, so there's a chance they may rest Hunt with an eye toward having him in optimal health for the wild-card round.
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Browns' Kareem Hunt: Cleared for Thursday
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Hunt (groin) doesn't have an injury designation for Thursday's game against the Jets, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.
The Browns have listed Hunt with a groin injury for much of the season, including each week since late November. He's yet to miss a game since signing with the team in September and should be ready to handle his usual role this Thursday as the No. 2 back behind Jerome Ford. While both backs scored touchdowns in Sunday's win over Houston, circumstances generally have been unfavorable for backfield production recently with head coach Kevin Stefanski shifting to a pass-heavy approach amidst a glut of offensive line injuries and a string of inefficient rushing performances from Ford and/or Hunt. Additionally, No. 3 back Pierre Strong has been getting some touches and snaps each week, further limiting Ford and Hunt.
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Browns' Kareem Hunt: Limited at Tuesday's practice
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The Browns listed Hunt (groin) as a limited participant for Tuesday's practice, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Hunt has appeared on Cleveland injury reports for the last few weeks due to a groin issue, but he has yet to miss a game since signing with the team in September. The Browns are likely just managing his reps on a short week, and the expectation remains that he'll once again work in a backfield timeshare with Jerome Ford during Thursday's game against the Jets.
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Browns' Kareem Hunt: Listed as DNP on practice estimate
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Hunt (groin) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's estimated practice report, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
For a fifth consecutive week of prep, Hunt is operating with listed practice restrictions due to a groin issue. On the other four occasions, he didn't receive a game-day designation, and he's compiled 41 touches for 114 yards from scrimmage and two rushing TDs during that span. Wednesday's injury report will unveil whether or not Hunt is cleared for Thursday's contest against the Jets.
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Browns' Kareem Hunt: Still limited Thursday
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Hunt (groin) remained limited at practice Thursday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Meanwhile, fellow running back Jerome Ford (wrist) practiced fully Thursday after being limited along with Hunt on Wednesday. The Browns will post their final Week 16 injury report Friday, when it will be known whether Hunt approaches Sunday's game against the Texans with an injury designation or is fully cleared to work in tandem with Ford.
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Browns' Kareem Hunt: Listed as limited Wednesday
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Hunt (groin) was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Hunt has been a fixture on Browns injury reports for several weeks due to the groin issue, but he has yet to miss a game since signing with the team in September. In the Browns' 20-17 win over the Bears this past Sunday, Hunt logged eight yards on seven carries and caught his lone target for 12 yards. Assuming he can shake off the groin injury ahead of this Sunday's game in Houston, Hunt will likely work in tandem with Jerome Ford (wrist) out of the backfield.
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Browns' Kareem Hunt: Twenty combined yards
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Hunt rushed for eight yards on seven carries and caught his lone target for 12 yards in Sunday's 20-17 win over the Bears.
The combined yards were the fewest since Week 4, as the Bears shut down the Browns' rushing attack. Three of Hunt's carries came in the red zone, including a rush from the two-yard line, but he was unable to log what would have been his eighth TD. While Hunt plays second fiddle to Jerome Ford in terms of carries and playing time, his seven rushing touchdowns lead Cleveland.
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Browns' Kareem Hunt: Good to go for Week 15
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Hunt (groin) doesn't have an injury designation and is in line to play in Sunday's game against the Bears, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Hunt progressed throughout the week, going from DNP on Wednesday to limited Thursday and full Friday. He's a good bet to handle double-digit carries as Jerome Ford's backfield running mate against Chicago. Hunt has produced seven touchdowns this season.
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Browns' Kareem Hunt: Not practicing Wednesday
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Hunt won't participate in Wednesday's practice due to a groin injury, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Hunt has tended to a groin issue in advance of three different games this season (Weeks 4, 13 and 14), but he's been able to suit up on each occasion. Fellow running back Jerome Ford emerged from this past Sunday's 31-27 win against the Jaguars with an injured wrist, but head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that Ford avoided a fracture. Additionally, Ford also wasn't included among the team's list of non-participants in practice Wednesday, meaning he's expected to mix into drills in some capacity. Hunt will have two more opportunities this week to join Ford for on-field work before the Browns potentially make a ruling on the availability of both running backs for Sunday's contest against the Bears.
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Browns' Kareem Hunt: Logs limited practice
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Hunt (groin) returned to a limited practice Thursday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Hunt didn't practice Wednesday, but his return to a capped session Thursday has him moving in the right direction as Sunday's game against the Jaguars approaches. If the running back practices fully Friday, as he did last week while managing his groin injury, he'll have a chance to head into the weekend minus a Week 14 injury designation.
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Browns' Kareem Hunt: Not at practice
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Hunt (groin) won't practice Wednesday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Hunt was listed with the same groin issue on the Browns' Week 13 injury report, but he ended up taking a team-high 12 carries for 48 yards in the 36-19 loss to Los Angeles this past Sunday. A return to practice Thursday would put him on track to play in this Sunday's game against Jacksonville, though perhaps in a secondary role off the bench behind inconsistent lead back Jerome Ford.
