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CLEVELAND, Ohio — Browns working again Kareem Hunt proclaimed on Instagram reside after Sunday’s 48-37 victory over the Steelers that “next week’s personal” in opposition to the Chiefs, and Baker Mayfield acknowledged that Hunt, who rushed for 2 TDs, ran with a vengeance in Pittsburgh.
“Kareem ran p—– off,’’ Mayfield stated after the sport. “He ran like he needed to get to Kansas Metropolis.”
Hunt, in fact, was minimize by the Chiefs on Nov. 30, 2018, the day after video surfaced of him having an altercation with a girl in his downtown Cleveland condo constructing from the earlier February. The Chiefs have been conscious that an incident had occurred, however felt he wasn’t truthful with them and minimize him with 5 video games left within the season.
Hunt, who led the NFL with 1,327 yards as a rookie out of Toledo in 2017, got here house to Cleveland and had no concept if he’d ever play soccer once more. Former Browns GM John Dorsey gave him a second probability in 2019, which started with an eight-game suspension.
Hunt reflects on his year of redemption
When the Chiefs made it to the Tremendous Bowl final season, Hunt took it very exhausting, telling a police officer throughout a speeding stop that “it hurts my soul” that he wasn’t playing in the game a couple of days later. However Hunt bought himself again on observe, and has been a great citizen and a terrific participant for the Browns since then, speeding for 841 yards and 6 TDs, and catching 38 passes for 304 yards and 5 TDs.
“That’s my dude, man,’’ Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said Monday on KCSP 610 Sports Radio in Kansas City. “I got here in with Kareem, and clearly we’re not collectively anymore, however I nonetheless keep in contact. He’s a heck of a soccer participant, and somebody who was considered one of my finest mates after we first bought on the group collectively.’’
After the Browns beat the Steelers to advance to Sunday’ afternoon’s sport in Kansas Metropolis, Mahomes texted Hunt to congratulate him. Hunt was an enormous a part of the victory, dragging defenders into the top zone and working offended.
“He has numerous success on that subject each alternative he will get and he’s an excellent soccer participant and somebody that I do know will hold getting higher and higher as his profession goes on,’’ Mahomes stated. “He’s a particular soccer participant. He finishes each single play, he catches and runs, he can do all of it. I’m joyful for him that he’s again house in Cleveland and he’s capable of play actually good soccer.’’
When the Chiefs minimize Hunt, Mahomes and coach Andy Reid each talked to administration about giving him one other probability.
“I don’t wish to speak about numerous it, however I simply talked to the blokes as a result of Kareem was considered one of our dudes, man,’’ Mahomes stated. “He was not solely an excellent soccer participant, however he was considered one of our greatest mates on the group. We needed to proceed to battle ahead at an unlucky time, however on the similar time, I nonetheless have a relationship with Kareem and he’s nonetheless considered one of my good mates.’’
Hunt rushed for 824 yards and seven TDs in 11 video games for the Chiefs in 2018, and had one other nearly 400 receiving yards and seven TD catches. He was on tempo for his second straight 1,000-yard season, and it was a blow to the Chiefs’ offense. They misplaced within the AFC Championship Sport to the Patriots, 37-31, that season after profitable the AFC West with a 12-4 file.
“We simply needed to proceed to battle that 12 months, however now we’ve moved on and he’s moved on and we’re in good spots now,’’ Mahomes stated. “We’re going to proceed to battle and it’s good to go up in opposition to a extremely good soccer group and a extremely good participant this weekend.’’
Reid, in his press convention on Monday, additionally expressed his fondness for Hunt, who stays shut with many different Chiefs, together with fellow Cleveland native Travis Kelce.
“Hear, I like Kareem,’’ Reid stated. “I’m glad issues are going nicely for him. He is aware of numerous the blokes that have been on that group final 12 months and felt dangerous about not being part of that. I get all of that. However most of all, I’m joyful for him that issues are getting into the appropriate path for him. He’s on a great soccer group, they’re well-coached and so they gained their first playoff sport. There’s one thing to be stated about that.’’
Jack Conklin, Michael Dunn and Robert Jackson day-to-day
Conklin (hamstring), Dunn (calf) and Jackson (hamstring) are all day-to-day for the Chiefs sport with accidents suffered within the Steelers sport.
Conklin left the sport within the second quarter and was changed by Kendall Lamm. Dunn subbed for Joel Bitonio, however left within the fourth quarter with the strained calf.
Dunn was changed by first-year participant Blake Hance, who met Mayfield for the primary time earlier than the sport.
Stefanski, who’s anticipated to rejoin the group on Thursday after his COVID-19 quarantine, hasn’t but met Hance.
“I’m trying ahead to it,’’ he stated.
Monday was additionally Hance’s birthday.
“Completely satisfied birthday, Blake,’’ Stefanski stated.
Joel Bitonio, Denzel Ward and others anticipated again
Bitonio, Ward, KhaDarel Hodge and Kevin Johson are all anticipated again this week, however Stefanski will let the COVID-19 protocol play out.
He additionally supplied no replace on whether or not or not the opposite coaches will probably be again, however most or all will probably be eligible to return. They’re offensive line coach Invoice Callahan, assistant offensive line coach Scott Peters, tight ends coach Drew Petzing and secondary coach Jeff Howard.
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