Buccaneers Could Pursue Free Agent Pro Bowl Running Back

The Buccaneers' running back room took a hit when Chase Edmonds went down with an injury. The team could look to address the current hole by dipping into the RB free-agent pool.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers felt comfortable moving into the season with a revamped running back room. The anticipation of new players in a new offense echoed throughout the city after The Krewe dealt with a putrid run game last season - one that competed to be the worst in the league.

Things haven't been easy sledding for the Buccaneers' RBs thus far into the season, and the position took another hit after off-season acquisition Chase Edmonds went down with a knee injury in Sunday's win against the Chicago Bears.

READ MORE: Buccaneers Running Back Likely Headed to Injured Reserve After Knee Injury

After undergoing an MRI, Edmonds was deemed to have suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain that will likely land him on the injured reserve list as it is speculated to take 4-6 weeks for the injury to heal.

Sources: #Buccaneers RB Chase Edmonds has a Grade 2 MCL sprain on his knee and will be out 4-6 weeks.

Edmonds is likely to go on short-term IR. The injury occurred during Tampa’s win over the #Bears. pic.twitter.com/x9yveDk1lv

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) September 18, 2023

With the likelihood that Edmonds will be gone for a good chunk of the Buccaneers' upcoming schedule, they could look towards a free agent running back to help sure up the position moving forward.

As of now, the Bucs' running back depth includes starter Rachaad White, undrafted rookie Sean Tucker, and Ke'Shawn Vaughn (who has not suited up in the first two games). Patrick Laird is the only running back on the Bucs' practice squad and could be elevated to the active 53-man roster if they so choose to take that route.

Sep 17, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (1) scores a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

The Buccaneers should at least consider looking at a player who is available in the free agent market and has shown the capability of working well in a running back committee - former Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt.

READ MORE: Bucs' Linebacker Devin White Regrets Trade Request: "I'm Stupid For Trying to Leave!"

Hunt was drafted in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs where he exploded onto the scene in 2018 earning himself a Pro-Bowl invite with 1,327 rushing yards and 8 rushing touchdowns to go along with 455 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns.

Following his time with the Chiefs, Hunt never became a true every-down back as he worked in a committee backfield after joining the Cleveland Browns.

In his last season with the Browns, Kareem Hunt took a major backseat to Nick Chubb only mustering 468 rushing yards and three touchdowns, and caught 35 passes for 210 yards and one touchdown. What was perhaps more concerning is that Hunt's efficiency as a running back took a plunge as he averaged just 3.8 yards per carry, marking the first time in his NFL career he averaged less than 4.2 yards per tote.

Hunt will be entering his seventh season in the league and looks to have interest from other teams, but is waiting for the right match. The Buccaneers should do their due diligence in at least gauging the interest level of Hunt making his way South to the gorgeous sunshine of Tampa Bay.

With the unknown surrounding what is exactly happening with Ke'Shawn Vaughn the Buccaneers could eventually have White, Tucker, Edmonds, and Hunt as their four backs leaving Vaughn on the outside looking in. It could be a pipe dream, but Hunt could provide an added jolt to the running game that is in desperation mode to get some type of explosiveness in that area.

You can follow Caleb on Twitter @chsnole.

Stick with BucsGameday and the Locked On Bucs podcast for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the 2023 season.

Follow BucsGameday on Twitter and Facebook