Thanks to RB Kareem Hunt delivering a big-time performance, the Chiefs got back on track.
The Kansas City Chiefs delivered a much-needed win in Week 12, and many players were to thank. Despite his fumble in the second half, running back Kareem Hunt should be at or near the top of the list.
That may not seem appropriate, especially when considering his 3.5 average yards per carry. Going beyond the raw box score has been the story of Hunt’s second go-round in Kansas City, though.
This week, members of the Chiefs organization are letting it be known how much they appreciate Hunt’s efforts.
Kareem Hunt Praised for Vintage Performance in Week 12 Against Colts
At age 30, Hunt toted the ball a career-high 30 times in Sunday’s 23-20 overtime win over the Indianapolis Colts. The former third-round pick was effective, routinely moving the chains and amassing 104 rushing yards with a touchdown.
Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy knows how rare it is for someone with Hunt’s mileage to still be a workhorse back in any capacity. With nearly 1,350 regular-season carries under his belt, Hunt is closer to the end of his career than the beginning. Nagy believes that resilience and ability to show up reflected the entire team’s performance.
“We joke with him,” Nagy began. “I mean, 30 carries, and for somebody that’s no spring chicken for where he is at. He’s so tough [and] is such a valuable part to this offense. For him to come back the way he did just shows his leadership. I think the guys, too, on the sideline were so great with him, just being there for him. That’s probably one of the things that throughout that game, as that game went on, early on it didn’t go the way we wanted it to go but the guys stuck together and then we found a way to win in the end.”
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes echoed that sentiment. The two-time NFL MVP recognizes that his leading halfback has been banged up this season. Playing through pain or discomfort is nothing new to Hunt, nor is fatigue. He responded by helping lift the Chiefs to a season-defining outcome.
“He’s a warrior,” Mahomes said. “He’s someone that truly wants to win. He wants to compete — he wants to be out there for his guys and give everything that he has, and I think he showed that. He showed it all season long, but he really showed that this week, and I’m sure he wasn’t feeling great running some of those runs back-to-back-to-back, but he was going to do whatever it takes to win. You need those guys on your team.”
Where Does Hunt Fit Into Chiefs’ Backfield Picture Moving Forward?
Hunt’s Week 12 showing was good enough to earn him AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. He lifted Kansas City to a whopping 10 first downs against Indy, the second-most by a player this season. Their late-down rush success rate, 80%, slotted in at the 75th percentile according to rbsdm.
In his return campaign last year, Hunt recorded 200 regular-season rushes with a 55.5% success rate and a 3.6 yard-per-carry average. This year, on 116 carries, he’s up to a career-best 57.8% success rate and a 3.9 YPC mark — his best since 2021 (albeit still not great).
Per SumerSports, among all running backs with 50+ rushes in 2025, Hunt is third in EPA/play with 0.08. He also owns the second-lowest rate of rushes stopped for a loss at 3.45%. He’s taking the workload in stride, as he’s simply doing what the Chiefs need him to do.
“You know, it’s fun,” Hunt said. “Definitely get to play a lot of football. That’s what I love to do, so it’s fun.”
The coming games will help determine what Hunt’s end-of-year role will be. Running back Isiah Pacheco is returning for Thursday’s Thanksgiving game against the Dallas Cowboys. As Kansas City reintroduces him to the lineup, it’s fair to assume Hunt won’t be involved quite as much.
Perhaps that will allow Hunt to be maximized, as well as a bit fresher for a potential playoff run.
Houston Texans Receive Major QB Update Before AFC South Tilt Versus Colts
After being sidelined for three games due to a concussion, C.J. Stroud is poised to gain clearance from the protocol and suit up for the Houston Texans in Week 13 against the Indianapolis Colts.
However, Stroud practicing again is only part of the significant quarterback news for the Texans.
The Texans began the season 0-3, but find themselves in the thick of the AFC South race and have a chance to improve their chances exponentially with a win against the Colts.
Texans Get Significant Injury Update Before Facing Colts
Stroud (assuming he plays) and the Texans’ task may have gotten simpler, particularly when it comes to Colts QB Daniel Jones.
Stroud logged a second full practice on Thursday, per the Texans’ injury report. So did Jones, coincidentally, despite what is being reported as a fractured leg suffered in Week 12 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
“#Colts QB Daniel Jones, who has been dealing with a lower leg injury, suffered a fracture in his fibula, sources say,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on X on November 27. “Jones was a full participant today and one source said, ‘He looked good.’ Jones will continue to try to play through it. Toughness never questioned.
“Another person who knows Daniel Jones well said, This is not an injury he’s concerned about.”
Jones may not be concerned about the injury, and his performance in practice may have been encouraging. He did draw attention with a noticeable hitch in his gait, though.
Daniel Jones Practices With Noticeable Limp
Jones must also contend with the Texans’ pass rush. The Texans sacked Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen a career-high 8 times in Week 12 on “Thursday Night Football.”
There is also some discrepancy between what “full” participation meant for Jones on Thursday.
“#Colts QB Daniel Jones throwing a couple play action passes. Doesn’t look as fluid or fast as normal, presumably due to his fibula injury,” The Athletic’s James Boyd reported on X on November 27, sharing a clip of Jones in action. “He also hasn’t participated in every practice rep, so that leads me to think he’ll be listed as a limited participant today.”
The Athletic’s James Palmer posted his belief that Jones was “not moving around very well at all in practice today. Certainly something to keep an eye on!” after seeing the video.
Jones, 28, is in his first year with the Colts.
He played his way into early-season MVP discussions. Jones has completed 69.1% of his passes for 2,840 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. Still, if Jones cannot move well enough in the pocket, he could quickly become an easy target for the Texans’ pass rush.
Jalen Pitre Upgrades to Full Practice
The Texans got more good news in practice in addition to Stroud maintaining his encouraging trajectory. Safety and starting nickelback Jalen Pitre upgraded to a full session after being limited on Wednesday.
Both Stroud and Pitre suffered their concussions in Week 9 against the Denver Broncos.
Stroud’s return has not been made official yet. Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans noted the QB remained in concussion protocol on Wednesday.
“It’s a lot of different steps, and each guy’s different when it comes to the symptoms that they’re having and what they’re feeling,” Ryans told reporters on November 26. “Whatever they report that they’re feeling, we’re going to take that to heart and make sure we’re taking extra precaution with the guys whenever it’s a concussion issue. So right now, as we stand today, they’re still in concussion protocol.”
The Texans enter this contest riding a three-game win streak. That was with Davis Mills filling in as the starting quarterback. Still, the Texans will be in a strong position to continue their recent surge if Stroud and Pitre return.
