Although the Kansas City Chiefs are 2-0 after pulling out a last-second victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2, Patrick Mahomes lost one of his critical weapons during Sunday’s win.
Running back Isiah Pacheco suffered a fractured fibula near the end of Sunday’s game and is already set to be placed on injured reserve (IR). Pacheco, who rushed for 935 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023, will miss at least four games but could be sidelined longer.
Kansas City will turn to backup running backs Samaje Perine and Carson Steele to take over Pacheco’s workload. The Chiefs also have RBs Keontay Ingram and Emani Bailey on their practice squad.
Still, Andy Reid and Co. might be interested in adding another option to K.C.’s backfield. Let’s run through the 15 best running backs on the market, including free agents, trade candidates, and practice-squaders.
Chiefs’ Free Agent, Trade Options at RB Following Isiah Pacheco’s Injury
Kareem Hunt
UPDATE: The Chiefs are reportedly signing Kareem Hunt to their practice squad.
How about a reunion with an old friend? The Chiefs drafted Kareem Hunt in the 2017 NFL Draft and watched him emerge into a rookie-year star. Kansas City cut ties with Hunt in 2018 after a video surfaced showing him assaulting a woman; Hunt was never charged.
Hunt will visit the Chiefs on Tuesday, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. He’s the first known external option Kansas City will consider as it evaluates its non-Pacheco alternatives.
Hunt spent five years with the Cleveland Browns after leaving the Chiefs. In 2023, he averaged just three yards per carry on 135 attempts but scored nine rushing touchdowns.
Jerick McKinnon
How about a reunion with another old friend? Jerick McKinnon played with the Chiefs from 2021 to 2023, winning two Super Bowls while primarily playing a pass-catching role. His responsibilities dwindled last season, and his snap rate was nearly cut in half. McKinnon went on IR late last year before being activated for Kansas City’s eventual Super Bowl victory.
Latavius Murray
Now 34 years old, Latavius Murray was the oldest running back in the NFL last season. He signed with the Buffalo Bills in May and became a contributor after fellow RB Damien Harris suffered a season-ending injury in Week 5. Murray became Buffalo’s No. 2 back, taking 96 touches for 419 total yards and four touchdowns.
Royce Freeman
Although Royce Freeman appeared close to earning a spot on the Dallas’ Cowboys’ 53-man roster, he was ultimately cut and hasn’t found a landing spot since. Freeman began the 2023 campaign on the Los Angeles Rams’ practice squad before being elected in October and finishing the year with 73 carries for 317 yards and two touchdowns.
Leonard Fournette
The return of Playoff Lenny?
Leonard Fournette, 29, appeared in two games for the Bills last season, handling just 12 touches. He might not have much left in the tank, but NFL teams still have his phone number. Fournette met with the Indianapolis Colts earlier this month but didn’t sign a contract.
Matt Breida
While Matt Breida will never be a world-beater, he’s a seasoned pro who’s handled at least 50 carries in six of seven NFL campaigns. Cut by the San Francisco 49ers in August, Breida has been waiting for a call. He’s workable in the passing game and has played nearly 400 special teams snaps over the past two years.
Khalil Herbert, Chicago Bears
Khalil Herbert, 26, remains underrated as a pure runner. The 2021 sixth-round pick finished ninth in attempts per broken tackle (10.2) and 11th in yards after contact per attempt (2.1) in 2023, suggesting he can generate his own yardage. Through two weeks, Herbert has played just 12 offensive snaps behind D’Andre Swift and Travis Homer, while the Bears also have second-year RB Roschon Johnson.
Chuba Hubbard or Miles Sanders, Carolina Panthers
The Panthers traded up to grab Texas RB prospect Jonathon Brooks in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He was the first back off the board and should become Carolina’s starter soon after returning from the physically unable to perform, or PUP, list.
Chuba Hubbard is the club’s RB1 until Brooks returns, but the 0-2 Panthers aren’t going anywhere fast. They might be willing to move on from Hubbard, who ran for 902 yards and five touchdowns last season and is scheduled to hit free agency in 2025.
Miles Sanders would be a salary dump. The Chiefs won’t be interested in paying Sanders’ fully guaranteed $4.02 million salary this season. However, the Panthers could be willing to eat some of that total if they can land any sort of draft pick compensation.
Louis Rees-Zammit, Jacksonville Jaguars (Practice Squad)
The Chiefs are more than familiar with Louis Rees-Zammit, who joined Kansas City’s offseason roster during the 2024 offseason. Rees-Zammit, a former rugby player and member of the NFL’s International Player Pathway program, signed with Jacksonville’s practice squad after failing to make the Chiefs’ 53-man roster.
If Kansas City signs a running back like Rees-Zammit off another team’s practice squad, it will be required to pay that player at least three weeks’ worth of game checks, regardless of whether the RB sticks on the Chiefs’ roster for that entire span.
Deneric Prince, Miami Dolphins (Practice Squad)
It’s a similar story for Deneric Prince, a 2023 UDFA who spent his rookie campaign on Kansas City’s practice squad. Prince, at times, was taking second-team RB carries for the Chiefs during 2024 training camp. However, he couldn’t find a spot on the club’s final roster and landed with Miami’s taxi squad.
Israel Abanikanda, New York Jets (Practice Squad)
The Jets held onto Israel Abanikanda after trying to trade him at final cutdowns, but the 2023 fifth-round has been a healthy scratch to open the season. He won’t see time unless Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, or Isaiah Davis suffers an injury. The Chiefs might look back at Abanikanda’s explosive tape at Pitt and decide he’s a fit.
Gary Brightwell, Cleveland Browns (Practice Squad)
While Gary Brightwell didn’t receive many offensive looks with the New York Giants from 2021 to 2023, he surpassed a 50% snap rate on special teams in all three seasons. If the Chiefs simply want their RB3 to contribute in the third phase of the game, Brightwell might interest K.C.’s special teams coach Dave Toub.
Evan Hull, Indianapolis Colts (Practice Squad)
If the Chiefs want to take a shot on upside, Evan Hull might be their guy. Hull caught 55 passes during his final season at Northwestern, then exploded with a 37″ vertical and a 10’3″ broad jump at the 2023 NFL Combine. He’s fourth in line for the Colts behind Jonathan Taylor, Trey Sermon, and Tyler Goodson.
Chris Brooks, Green Bay Packers (Practice Squad)
Chris Brooks always ran hard for the Dolphins during the preseason and is still just 24 years old. The 2023 UDFA signed with the Packers’ squad in September, but the Chiefs could think about sniping him. At 6’1″ and 220 pounds, Brooks could offer at least a facsimile of Pacheco’s aggressive style.