Kareem Hunt's debut is everything the Chiefs needed it to be (and more)

No one could have predicted beforehand just how much the Kansas City Chiefs were going to need Kareem Hunt on Sunday. In a game against a short-handed Los Angeles Chargers team in Week 4, the Chiefs quickly fell into a hole—not only on the scoreboard but in terms of offensive talent as well. Fortunately, Hunt was there to pick them up.

Hunt might have attached his name, at least temporarily, to the RB1 role just days after returning to the team that drafted him with a strong performance against a division rival that gives K.C. a two-game lead in the AFC West.

After five seasons away from the team, Kareem Hunt finally made his return to the field for the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

In Week 4, Hunt had 14 carries for 69 rushing yards and caught another 2 passes for 16 yards, with most of that production coming in the second half as the Chiefs finally put together enough momentum to edge past the Chargers on their home turf at SoFi Stadium.

Hunt's performance was far more than most Chiefs fans would have predicted in his first game back in over five seasons.

First, the Chiefs already had a nice tandem working the previous week with rookie Carson Steele and veteran Samaje Perine serving as the early/late downs duo that helped put away the Atlanta Falcons in Week 3. Steele in particular showed a solid power-running style that becomes more effective as the game wears on, and it felt safe to assume Steele would maintain the lion's share of reps.

Unfortunately for Steele and the team, an early fumble by Steele—his second in three weeks—put the team in an early hole and the Chargers capitalized for a quick 10-point lead in the first quarter. From there, Hunt took over and was allowed to remain in that primary role instead of Steele, who will now face real questions about his role and usage going forward.

Instead of just sprinkling in a touch or two in relief work of Steele and Perine, the Chiefs handed Hunt the keys to the ground game and he went to work with one productive run after another in the second half to tax a Chargers defense that would ultimately yield for the go-ahead touchdown. The Chiefs would win by a final of 17-10.

The Chiefs brought Hunt back last Wednesday after losing Isiah Pacheco to injured reserve following a game in which he fractured his fibula. However, Hunt arrived too late to be able to suit up and play effectively in Week 3 against the Falcons.

In his seven year career, Hunt has 1,030 carries for 4,436 rushing yards and 40 touchdowns on the ground. He's also caught 226 passes for 1,890 receiving yards and 17 scores.