Kansas City Chiefs: Spencer Ware capable of filling in
With Kareem Hunt now gone from the Kansas City Chiefs, Spencer Ware will be called upon to step up, and he’s capable of doing so.
The Kansas City Chiefs are certainly in an unexpected position entering Week 13 and a matchup with the rival Oakland Raiders. On Friday, they released star running back Kareem Hunt following the release of a video from a February incident that involved him pushing and kicking a woman in an altercation at a hotel. Now, all eyes will be on Spencer Ware in the backfield.
Ware is certainly a known commodity for Chiefs fans as he’s been with the team for several seasons now. In fact, prior to the addition of Hunt in the 2017 NFL Draft, Ware was the feature back in Kansas City. However, a knee injury in the 2017 preseason took the LSU product out of the fold and allowed the emergence of Hunt to transpire in his rookie season.
In the 2015-16 seasons, Ware amassed 286 carries over 25 games and accrued 1,324 yards and nine touchdowns, adding 39 receptions for 452 yards and two touchdowns to his credit as well. Even with Hunt in the fold through 12 weeks this year, Ware has still been involved with 22 carries for 124 yards and a touchdown along with 14 receptions for 165 yards.
Replacing Hunt, of course, won’t be an easy task in the high-octane Chiefs offense. Through 12 weeks, Hunt quietly had amassed 824 yards rushing (4.6 yards per carry) and seven touchdowns to go with 26 receptions, 378 receiving yards and seven additional scores.
Expecting Ware to put up that same type of production is likely a pipe-dream. Put simply, he’s not as dynamic of a player as Hunt was on the field. While that may be so, Ware has proven that he can shoulder the load of being a lead back and, when on the field this season, has been productive.
What’s truly been impressive and will be critical as Ware assumes the RB1 role is his prowess as a pass catcher. He’s been productive when used as a receiver out of the backfield this season and, considering how frequently Hunt was looked to in those situations, we should see Ware continue to play well on those types of plays.
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Certainly losing a key cog in the offense is not an easy thing for the Chiefs. However, Andy Reid’s team is better acquitted to replace Hunt than many other teams would be due to the presence of Ware. The veteran should come in and help the offense to hardly miss a beat given all the turmoil on the roster.