Spencer Ware Once Again Chiefs Featured Back
On Friday the Kansas City Chiefs released their top running back Kareem Hunt after a video surfaced in which he could be seen pushing a woman down to the ground and at a point later in the video kicking her.
Spencer Ware will now be the featured back once again for the Chiefs.
In 2016, after Jamaal Charles was not able to sufficiently recover from a knee surgery, Kansas City started Ware, who at the time was unproven and Ware pleasantly surprised many rushing for 921 yards and helping the Chiefs win the AFC West title for the first time in six seasons.
Ware has been productive when given the opportunities during his career. Just three running backs active in the NFL today have averaged more per rush and one of those is Hunt. The other two are Darren Sproles and Adrian Peterson.
Kansas City is currently 9-2 on the season and pushing toward a third straight AFC West title and Ware will start on Sunday in the Chiefs game on the road against the Oakland Raiders.
After a successful 2016 season, Ware suffered a knee injury that ended his year during the preseason and the then-rookie Hunt took over as the featured running back.
For the Chiefs, Ware will make losing Hunt somewhat easier, but the former running back will be missed on the field after leading the NFL last season in rushing with 1,327 yards and sitting fifth after Week 12 of this season at 824 yards with seven touchdowns rushing and an equal number receiving.
Ware will not give the Chiefs big-play ability that Hunt did, but is just as versatile. Ware has been used frequently this season as a third down back due to being a good pass protector and a solid receiver out of the backfield.
Kansas City also has Damien Williams a veteran and Darrel Williams an undrafted rookie at the running back position, but each has seen little action this season. However, Damien Williams is likely to move into the No. 2 slot behind Ware and could play several snaps each game during the remainder of the season and into the playoffs.
