The Detroit Lions are dealing with some depth concerns at running back this week. With that in mind, the team is kicking the tires on possibly adding a former Pro Bowler to their offensive backfield.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Tuesday the Lions will host veteran running back Kareem Hunt for a visit.
Hunt made the Pro Bowl as a rookie during the 2017 campaign. In that season, he led the NFL with 1,327 rushing yards while playing for the Kansas City Chiefs.
In 121 NFL games, Hunt has posted 5,775 rushing yards and 55 touchdowns during his career.
Lions to Host RB Kareem Hunt on Visit: Report
Hunt took the league by storm in 2017, leading the NFL in rushing while posting 1,782 yards from scrimmage. He also scored 11 total touchdowns.
Since then, Hunt has never again rushed for 1,000 yards. His Chiefs stint in 2018 ended in controversy just a year after he led the NFL in rushing. On November 30, 2018, the Chiefs released the running back after video surfaced of Hunt pushing a woman to the ground and kicking her.
Hunt resurfaced with the Cleveland Browns and returned after serving an 8-game suspension in 2019. During his first full campaign with the Browns in 2020, he rushed for 841 yards and six scores.
Hunt stayed in Cleveland through 2023, mostly serving as extra depth. He returned to the Chiefs in 2024, where he became a lead back again. During that season, he ran for 728 yards and seven touchdowns.
Last season, Hunt had 611 rushing yards with eight scores. He also caught 18 passes for 143 yards and another touchdown.
Hunt turned 31 years old at the beginning of this month. He’s been available in NFL free agency since March.
Lions RB Depth for Final Week of Preseason
The Lions obviously have Gibbs at the top of their running back chart. They aren’t interested in Hunt coming in and being “the guy” as he was in Kansas City.
But the Lions are dealing with injury concerns at running back at the moment. Raheem Blackshear landed on injured reserve after Week 2 of the preseason. Fellow running back Jabari Small sustained a head ailment in the game as well.
To begin this week, the Lions waived another running back Kye Robichaux.
So the Lions have seven running backs on their roster but not necessarily seven healthy backs. They might need to add a running back just to get through the final preseason game.
The Lions did sign undrafted rookie Roydell Williams potentially for that reason. Williams scored 15 touchdowns combined at Florida State and Alabama in his college career.
In addition to Gibbs, Williams and Small, the Lions have Isiah Pacheco, Jacob Saylors, Sione Vaki and Trayveon Williams on their roster at running back.
Detroit will conclude the preseason Saturday, August 29 versus the Indianapolis Colts. The matchup will kick off at 1 pm ET at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Lions to Host Ex-NFL Rushing Title Champion for Visit: Report