Chiefs vs. Raiders: The C.J. Spiller experiment is finally here

After flirting with C.J. Spiller for the entirely of the NFL offseason and preseason, the Chiefs will finally give the veteran running back a chance to perform.

The Kansas City Chiefs were enamored enough with the potential comeback of veteran running back C.J. Spiller to keep him around all through the offseason. Former general manager John Dorsey signed Spiller early last spring as the Chiefs slowly began to remake the depth chart at the position, and Brett Veach also kept him around throughout the entire preseason—even as he endured a comical carousel that kept him off and then on the Chiefs roster up until it mattered most. Unfortunately for Spiller, the Chiefs have never kept him around to be a part of the active roster during the regular season.

Now, however, Spiller is going to get his chance. With injuries taking their toll on the position, the Chiefs are down to a single predictable performer at the position—rookie Kareem Hunt. As good as Hunt has been, the Chiefs now find themselves without a predictable back-up which is why they’ve brought back Spiller onto the roster for the fourth time in 2017.

Spiller’s arrival comes at a perfect time. The Chiefs lost featured back Spencer Ware in the preseason, which elevated Hunt to starter. It looked like the Chiefs might go with Spiller on the active roster after Ware’s injury, but the Chiefs have rolled with only two real running backs for the first third of the season, knowing that players like Tyreek Hill will also get some carries in the Chiefs diverse offense. This last week, however, West was being checked for a concussion during and after the loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers after taking a nasty hit from Mike Mitchell.

Spiller is likely going to play on Thursday, bringing a fresh face to the roster at a time where everyone will be feeling very beat up. The Chiefs took a hard loss on Sunday and then play four days later in primetime once again in an important divisional contest. Hunt will once again serve as the primary ball carrier, but Spiller could be an important third down back with versatility to play a role in the passing game.

Fortunately Spiller was around long enough to know the playbook and here’s hoping a quick refresher will make him ready for Thursday night. Marshawn Lynch will get the lion’s share of attention as the veteran rusher hoping to show he still has it, but Spiller is right there with him, hoping this one-week audition in the regular season could turn into something lasting.