27 Kareem Hunt RB

Hunt carried three times for seven yards and turned his only target into a 19-yard receiving touchdown during Saturday's preseason game against the Bears.

Hunt generated a long gain of just three yards on the ground, but he provided one of the highlights of the first half when he took a dump-off from Patrick Mahomes and raced down the sideline to the pylon. Though he's totaled just 31 yards on 18 carries over the last two weeks, there's little doubt the second-year pro is in line for another big season as the team's bell cow out of the backfield. The receiving touchdown was notable considering the team's stated desire to use him more in in the passing game, and Hunt could be in for an even bigger season if he can top the 53 receptions he posted as a rookie. He'll sit out the final preseason game and appears full speed ahead for Week 1 of the regular season.

Hunt (hamstring) didn't appear to have any limitations Wednesday during the Chiefs' practice, Nate Taylor of The Athletic Kansas City reports.

The Chiefs haven taken things slowly with their star running back following a brilliant rookie season. Hunt was held out for most of the offseason program and was limited to individual drills at the start of training camp before handling some 11-on-11 reps Monday. It now looks like he has been cleared to practice without restriction, setting the stage for Hunt to enter the 2018 campaign as the team's workhorse. Meanwhile, Spencer Ware (knee), Damien Williams, Charcandrick West (concussion) and Kerwynn WIlliams will engage in a fierce battle for backup work behind Hunt. Ware is probably the biggest threat, but even he is unlikely to prevent Hunt from approaching his 2017 mark of 20.3 touches per game.

Hunt (hamstring) took some 11-on-11 reps at Monday's practice, BJ Kissel of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Previously limited to individual drills in the early part of training camp, Hunt took a big step forward Monday and could soon be cleared for contact drills. He's been dealing with hamstring tightness since late May, but the Chiefs haven't expressed much concern about the injury. While Hunt is locked in atop the depth chart, Kansas City appears to have a fierce battle for backup work, with veterans Spencer Ware (knee), Damien Williams, Charcandrick West (concussion) and Kerwynn Williams all in the mix to make the team. None of the bunch is likely to threaten Hunt's status as a 20-touch-per-game workhorse.

Hunt was contained to individual work for a third consecutive practice Saturday, Adam Teicher of ESPN.com reports. "His hamstring just tightened up a bit on him," coach Andy Reid said. "I don't want to mess around with that. He had a sore hamstring during [offseason practice] and I want to stay away from that so we're easing him back in. He did some stuff early and then we backed him off. I just don't want to take any steps backward."

The Chiefs are exercising caution with Hunt, who has been tending to a hamstring injury for the better part of two months. Once individual drills concluded Saturday, the running back focused on stretching with the training staff, per Nate Taylor of The Athletic Kansas City. Sidestepping the PUP list was the first positive sign in his recovery effort, but progressing to 7-on-7 or even 11-on-11 work is the next hurdle to jump for Hunt. In the meantime, Damien Williams and Kerwynn Williams will handle the majority of RB reps until Hunt, Spencer Ware (knee) and Charcandrick West (head) display a modicum of health.

Hunt (hamstring) is being eased into training camp, BJ Kissel of the Chiefs' official site reports.

It's a bit of a surprise to see Hunt still bothered by his hamstring nearly two months after the injury was first reported. The good news is that he avoided the PUP list, which suggests the Chiefs expect him to be ready for practice fairly soon. Hunt has been limited to individual work through the first two days of training camp, gearing up slowly for his second NFL campaign. Damien Williams, Charcandrick West and Kerwynn Williams are all viable candidates to take first-team reps while Hunt and Spencer Ware (knee) focus on getting healthy.