Spencer Ware is next man up for Kansas City Chiefs after Kareem Hunt’s release
While the Chiefs are losing a top-notch running back in Kareem Hunt, fans should feel good about Spencer Ware going into Oakland.
Plenty of Kansas City Chiefs fans are still shocked after the bombshell dropped on Friday with the footage of Pro Bowl running back Kareem Hunt assaulting a woman back in February in addition to the team’s subsequent release of Hunt.
While the discussion will continue, the show must go on. The Chiefs will visit the Oakland Raiders, coming off a heart-breaking loss on Monday Night Football against the Los Angeles Rams more than a week ago. The big question many are asking is how the Chiefs will handle Hunt’s absence. The easy, and short answer is, Spencer Ware.
Obviously, Ware is no Hunt. Hunt never fumbled in college. He fumbled on his very first NFL snap. Since then, he’s touched the ball 531 times and has not fumbled. Ware has fumbled four times, all in 2016. But beyond the fumbles, Chiefs fans should feel confident with Ware moving forward as he returns to his role as a starting running back.
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Ware has not started a game since 2016. He missed all of 2017 due to an ACL tear during the preseason. In 11 games this season, he has a 5.6 yards-per-carry average on 22 carries.
But going to Oakland is the perfect time and place for Ware to get his first start in more than a year. The last time Ware played in Oakland, he ran for 131 yards and a touchdown off 24 carries. It’s the best game of Ware’s career to date.
One thing to keep in mind: running backs to very well under Andy Reid. Reid’s list of successful running backs include Brian Westbrook, LeSean McCoy, Jamaal Charles, and Hunt. When Charles tore his ACL in 2015, Charcandrick West played well. When West got hurt, Ware stepped up and helped the Chiefs offense continue their winning streak.
Add in the fact that the Raiders are last in the NFL in stopping the run, surrendering more than 151 yards per game on the ground.
Yes, the news with Hunt is unfortunate. But this is the best time for Ware to work on his role as a starter. His best career game was against the Raiders, and the Raiders are last place in the NFL against the run.