The Kansas City Chiefs will experiment with running backs over the next two weeks as they learn to adjust without some key players in their offensive backfield.
After losing defensive back Isaiah Pacheco in Week 2 and the continued absence of Clyde Edwards-Helaire to start the season, the Chiefs will go with Carson Steele and Samaje Perine as their starting duo in Week 3 to solidify the ground game when they visit Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Week 3 to visit the Atlanta Falcons.
This means, according to head coach Andy Reid, that Chiefs decide to leave Karim Hunt in training squad For another week.
The Chiefs will likely give Hunt a real chance in Week 4 when they face the Los Angeles Chargers in their first divisional game of the year. However, at this point, it’s too early to force him into action so soon after he signed as a free agent after five full seasons away from the team.
Pacheco was sidelined last week with a broken fibula, which will keep him out for at least six weeks, if not longer, after successful surgery. He broke his leg late in the team’s Week 2 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. As for Edwards-Helaire, he has been on the non-player list since the preseason.
Steele is now a bigger part of the offense than anyone could have predicted a few months ago, when he was a rookie free agent trying to make an impression at UCLA’s rookie training camp. Steele has become a fan favorite as an underdog and continues to make the most of his reps throughout the preseason and the first two weeks of his NFL career.
Perine will continue to serve as a third-string linebacker and is himself new to the Chiefs as a free agent signed late in the preseason after years of playing against KC with the Broncos and Bengals.
The Chiefs also promoted Keaontay Ingram from the practice squad to serve as Sundya’s backup.
The Chiefs vs. Falcons game is scheduled to kick off at 7:20 p.m. CT. Sunday Night Football.
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