Three logical Kareem Hunt landing spots as injuries strike NFL backfields
Despite NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reporting Kareem Hunt received four contract offers this summer, the one-time Pro Bowl running back remains unsigned one week into the 2023 season.
With backfields taking shape across the NFL and the injury bug striking early, here are three potential landing spots for the former NFL rushing champ:
Baltimore Ravens
The most obvious suitor for Hunt might be the team least likely to sign the 28-year-old. After losing starting running back J.K. Dobbins to a season-ending Achilles injury in the opener, head coach John Harbaugh insinuated to reporters that the team has no plan to add a running back.
While the Ravens could get by with the trio of Gus Edwards, Justice Hill and Melvin Gordon, those players offer limited skill sets. Edwards has caught 18 passes over his five-year career. Hill has never carried the ball more than 58 times in a single season. Gordon, while a former Pro Bowler, appears to be on the downslide of his career after averaging just 3.5 YPC with the Denver Broncos in 2022.
Hunt's 211 receptions since 2017 rank 11th-most among NFL running backs. Over the last three seasons, he averaged 565 rushing yards playing behind Nick Chubb for the Cleveland Browns.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts could be getting back Zack Moss this week after he suffered a broken arm in training camp. However, they placed rookie Evan Hull on injured reserve with a knee injury on Tuesday and have limited depth at the position.
Moss ranked seventh in the NFL with 334 rushing yards over the final four weeks of last season. Yet, similar to Edwards in Baltimore, Moss adds minimal upside in the passing game. He's hauled in just 11 receptions over his last 13 games. Deon Jackson did catch five of six targets in Week 1, but he lost two fumbles and averaged 1.1 YPC on 13 carries.
The Colts need to take pressure off quarterback Anthony Richardson. Adding a dual-threat back like Hunt would do just that.
Los Angeles Chargers
Chargers starting running back Austin Ekeler injured his ankle in the team's Week 1 loss to the Miami Dolphins. If Ekeler can't go in Week 2, the Bolts would turn to backup Joshua Kelley, who rushed for 91 yards and a touchdown this past Sunday.
While the beginning of his 2023 campaign was promising, Kelley has averaged just 3.6 YPC in 38 career games. He's also far from the elite receiving threat that Ekeler is out of the backfield, catching just 18 passes over the last two years.
The extent of Ekeler's injury presumably determines how much the Chargers entertain adding outside talent at the position. Yet, with mirroring skill sets, Hunt would be the ideal candidate to spell Ekeler in Los Angeles' backfield.
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