Chiefs’ rookie sensation handling heavy workload

KANSAS CITY, MO. The Oakland Raiders had seven games to prepare for Kareem Hunt, the Kansas City Chiefs’ rookie who has taken the league by storm, and still couldn’t stop him.

Slow him, yes. Stop him, no. So while the Chiefs spent the weekend ruing a last-play loss to the Raiders on Thursday, they could at least take solace in another dazzling performance from their running back.

He carried 18 times for 87 yards. He caught four passes for 30 yards. He topped 100 yards from scrimmage for the seventh consecutive game, stretching his own rookie record.

“The Raiders knew what we were doing. We had run those plays a couple times and had success with them with the same look,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “So we have a lot of trust in him.”

So much trust they’re willing to give him a hefty workload.

Hunt is on pace to finish with 284 carries, which would have ranked fifth in the league last season. He is also on pace to catch 57 passes, giving him more than 300 touches.

The third-round pick was supposed to share reps this season, part of a crowded backfield that was supposed to be the Chiefs’ strength. But veteran Spencer Ware tore knee ligaments and was lost for the year in a pre-season game, and backup Charcandrick West sustained a concussion a couple weeks ago against Pittsburgh.

Hunt acknowledged that learning to take care of his body has been just as important as learning the playbook this season.

Nutrition, stretching and a multitude of other factors have also helped keep him fresh.

“Yeah, it starts now just taking care of your body every day,” Hunt said.

“Even when you’re not that sore, you just got to keep working to get your body all the way back together.”