No one could have predicted in advance how much the Kansas City Chiefs would need Kareem Hunt on Sunday. Playing against a short-handed Los Angeles Chargers team in Week 4, the Chiefs quickly found themselves in a hole – not just on the scoreboard, but in terms of offensive talent. Luckily, Hunt was there to pick them up.

Hunt may have attached his name to the RB1 role, at least temporarily, just days after returning to the team that drafted him with a strong performance against a division rival that gives KC a two-game lead in the AFC West.

In Week 4, Hunt had 14 carries for 69 rushing yards and caught another 2 passes for 16 yards, with most of that production coming in the second half as the Chiefs finally gathered enough momentum to get past the Chargers on their home turf at SoFi. Stadium.

Hunt’s performance was far more than most Chiefs fans predicted in his first game in more than five seasons.

First, the Chiefs already had a nice tandem working the week before, with rookie Carson Steele and veteran Samaje Perine serving as the early/late downs duo that helped put away the Atlanta Falcons in Week 3. Steele in particular showed a solid power-running style that becomes more effective as the game progresses, and it felt safe to assume Steele would keep the lion’s share of reps.

Unfortunately for Steele and the team, an early fumble by Steele – his second in three weeks – put the team in an early hole and the Chargers took advantage of an early 10-point lead in the first quarter. From that point on, Hunt took over and was allowed to remain in that primary role in place of Steele, who will now face real questions about his role and usage moving forward.

Instead of just sprinkling in a few touches in the relief work of Steele and Perine, the Chiefs handed Hunt the keys to the ground game and he went about his business with one productive run after another in the second half to pace the defense the Chargers to the test that ultimately yields the go-ahead. The Chiefs would win by a final score of 17-10.

The Chiefs brought Hunt back last Wednesday after losing Isiah Pacheco to injured reserve following a game in which he broke his fibula. However, Hunt arrived too late to play effectively against the Falcons in Week 3.

In his seven-year career, Hunt has 1,030 carries for 4,436 rushing yards and 40 touchdowns on the ground. He has also caught 226 passes for 1,890 receiving yards and 17 scores.