KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs are signing former Browns Kareem Hunt to their practice squad, reuniting with the running back who achieved stardom with them before off-the-field issues led to his release, a person familiar with their decision told The Associated Press.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the team had not yet announced the move.
The Chiefs brought Hunt in for a workout after Isiah Pacheco, their top running back, sustained a right ankle injury in Sunday's win over Cincinnati that could keep him out the rest of the season. They already have Clyde Edwards-Helaire on the non-football illness list for at least two more games, leaving them short-handed at the position heading to Atlanta this weekend.
The Chiefs drafted Hunt in the third round in 2017, and he proceeded to run for a league-high 1,327 yards and eight touchdowns as a rookie. Hunt returned the following season and appeared in 11 games before a video surfaced that showed Hunt pushing a woman to the ground and kicking her in downtown Cleveland, leading to his eventual release from the team.
Hunt signed with the Browns the following February, though he ultimately was suspended by the NFL eight games for violating its personal conduct policy. He went on to spend the last five seasons in Cleveland, tallying 3,342 yards from scrimmage and 32 TDs.
A Greater Cleveland native, Hunt was a star at Willoughby South High School, setting Lake County's all-time single-season rushing record with 2,685 yards as a senior in 2012. He was a two-time All-MAC selection at Toledo before going pro, and became a fan favorite with the Browns following initial controversy over his signing.
