With so many injuries at the wide receiver position and opposing defenses shutting down the vertical passing game, the Kansas City ChiefsThe offensive identity consisted largely of a rushing attack. This is even after starting halfback Isiah Pacheco fell with a fractured fibula in Week 2. If anything, Kansas City relied more on the field with Kareem Hunt, and the results are positive to some extent.

Since becoming the Chiefs’ starter in Week 5, Hunt averages more touches per game (24.6) than any player in the sport. That’s a lot for a 29-year-old running back to handle, let alone one who wasn’t on the roster to start the season. Despite this, the reigning Super Bowl champions have constantly reiterated that they were comfortable giving Hunt so many opportunities.

Head coach Andy Reid isn’t shy about doing just that heading into Week 11. Speaking to the media this week, Reid doubled down on his desire to put the football in Hunt’s hands.

“We threw the ball to them a little bit more last week, they did a good job inside, just shutting down the running game,” Reid said. “We ended up giving him the ball – we like to give him the ball, any way we can give him the ball because he’s a good player. He’s doing well just coming out of the couch. I mean, he’s like second in the league, in games played, in carries and yards He’s doing a hell of a job and he’s not asking to get out now. That’s not quite how it’s programmed, but he’s okay. He fell on his leg there – one of the guys fell on his leg and kind of twisted it a little bit – but he’s okay.

Once he signed with Kansas City’s practice squadit was full steam ahead for Hunt in his second go-round with the team. In his first game back, he had 14 carries and two receptions. As it turns out, that 16 hit total was easily his lowest single-game mark of the year. Over the next five games, he topped 20 in every game and reached 28 twice. The Week 10 win over the Denver Broncos evened his season highs in carries, but at the expense of season highs in targets (10) and receptions (7).

Is Hunt feeling the physical toll even more as he gets older? Not necessarily, because it’s the same style of football he’s always played.

“I mean, I wouldn’t say that,” Hunt said. “I definitely feel some pain, but the way I play, I’m a physical guy (so) I’m always sore after games and stuff like that. I don’t feel like it’s because (I’m) older or whatever.”

How does he manage such a heavy workload? Reid has previously joked about Hunt living in an ice bath, but there is some truth to the time he spends recovering for the game week that follows.

“Honestly, I take it day by day,” Hunt said. “At this point in the season, I don’t think anyone is feeling really good or at their best. I’m just staying current, staying in the training room, doing rehab. I’ve got to stay there.”

Make no mistake: Hunt isn’t doing anything extraordinary for the Chiefs, and the volume seems to be catching up with him. After averaging 4.9 yards per carry in his season debut, he hasn’t averaged better than 3.9 in a game since. The juice he showcased in the Week 4 win over the Los Angeles Chargers has, for the most part, disappeared. That said, Kansas City regularly knocks down the chains, and while Hunt doesn’t give them explosive runs, he doesn’t record negative runs either. His skills play directly to their strengths, combined with a refined racing plan in terms of scheme.

Once Pacheco returns to the lineupHunt will get a well-deserved break. A split of reps between the two should keep both relatively fresh for the playoffs, something opposing defenses need to take into account. Hunt’s days of recording more than 20 carries are numbered. It’s better for everyone.

For now, Kansas City is riding well with the hot hand.

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