Chiefs rookie Hunt 'ready for the challenge' of replacing Ware

The Kansas City Chiefs will entrust their ground game to rookie Kareem Hunt following starter Spencer Ware's season-ending knee injury, and the third-round pick said he's ready to step up.

"It means everything," Hunt told BJ Kissel of the Chiefs' official website after being named the new starter. "It means that (coach Andy Reid) trusts and believes in me. I'm very excited to be taking on such a big role, and I'm ready for the challenge."

Hunt was expected to push Ware for the starting gig this year, but will now be responsible for carrying a significant portion of the offensive workload. The young runner has already impressed during the preseason, racking up 79 yards on 18 carries and catching four passes for another 31 yards.

Reid is confident the running game won't miss a beat, especially with the team's strong depth at the position.

"I think we're going to be OK there," the coach said Sunday. "Now, listen, are you going to replace (Ware)? No, he's a good football player, but the young kid (Hunt) will step in and he'll do a nice job for us, and Charcandrick (West) has got reps under his belt, and C.J. (Spiller) has reps under his belt, so we're OK."

Reid continued: "I don't want to take anything away from (Ware) and how important he was to our team, but that's a position where we have a little strength, so we should be OK."