When the Kansas City Chiefs announced the Michael Wiley signing on August 12, some questioned the move, considering their running back depth, but it all made sense after a new Kareem Hunt injury was revealed on the final day of training camp.
At the start of practice on August 13, Chiefs media members noticed that Hunt was working off to the side with the trainers, which prompted a comment from A-to-Z Sports Kansas City reporter Charles Goldman.
“Well, that explains the Wiley signing,” Goldman noted on Wednesday.
Later, when head coach Andy Reid addressed the media after practice, he revealed that Hunt suffered a “quad contusion.”
On the bright side, Reid was not ready to rule out Hunt for Friday’s second preseason outing, so the injury doesn’t appear to be all that serious.
“I’m still kind of figuring out who’s going to play [and] not play,” the Chiefs HC stated, after relaying the Hunt injury news. Adding: “There’s a chance I sit a couple of starters, or at least be short with [their snap count].”
Reid also noted that he and his staff want to “make sure we get a good look at these young guys.”
Although Hunt is not technically a starter, he’s not a “young guy” either. Considering the status of his quad, don’t expect to see too much of the veteran RB in preseason Week 2.
Chiefs Could Give Michael Wiley Immediate Preseason Opportunity After Recent Signing
With Isiah Pacheco and Hunt potentially resting on Friday, the Chiefs could throw Wiley right into the mix alongside ball carriers Carson Steele, Brashard Smith, Elijah Mitchell and Elijah Young.
This camp battle of backs is beginning to take shape for the Chiefs, and it feels like three or four players will make the Week 1 roster at this position.
Is the well-liked locker room presence and short-yardage back, Hunt, as safe as he seems after this new injury? Hunt has the approval and trust of integral team leaders like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, so it still feels unlikely that he’ll be cut.
Smith also seems to have a clear leg up on the competition. His 2025 draft status helps — although seventh-round picks are not typically locks to make the roster — but more important has been his special teams impact as a returner and his dynamic speed in the passing game.
If Smith were cut, it’d be a major shock, and he’d likely get claimed by another team off waivers.
That leaves one spot, if the Chiefs keep four running backs. The competitors for that role will be Mitchell, Steele, Young, and the newcomer, Wiley.
Will 2025 Be Kareem Hunt’s Final Super Bowl Opportunity With Chiefs?
GettyKansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt suffered a “quad contusion” injury.
Assuming Kareem Hunt does clear the 53-man roster cutdown and make the team, you have to wonder if this will be his final Super Bowl opportunity with the Chiefs in 2025.
Hunt has never won an NFL championship. And it’s been a big talking point throughout his career, being that Kansas City finally won just after Hunt was released from the team due to off-the-field issues.
The veteran has made it known that his sole focus in returning to the Chiefs is to someday hoist the Lombardi Trophy before he retires, but his time is running out.
Hunt’s new injury at Chiefs camp doesn’t appear to be a huge deal, but it is a reminder that his body is getting older, and he also plays a position where age is the No. 1 enemy.
New Chiefs RB Injury ‘Explains’ Recent Training Camp Signing