NFL notebook: RB Hunt clears waivers, becomes free agent

Running back Kareem Hunt, who was released by the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday, cleared waivers Monday, making him a free agent, multiple media outlets reported. Hunt, who led the NFL in rushing in 2017, was let go by the Chiefs after a video surfaced that showed him shoving and kicking a woman during an altercation at a Cleveland hotel last February. Hunt was placed on the Reserve/Commissioner Exempt List and is cannot play as long as he is on that list. The NFL is investigating the February incident as well as a June incident in which he allegedly punched a man at an Ohio resort. No team claimed Hunt and the rest of his rookie contract, which means any team can negotiate with Hunt and sign him. If he signs with a team, Hunt probably faces a suspension of at least six games for violating the league's personal-conduct policy. --The Chiefs will welcome the return of a familiar name to their backfield, according to a published report. Per NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, the Chiefs are expected to sign running back Charcandrick West. The 27-year-old West will join former teammate Spencer Ware in the backfield as the Chiefs attempt to move on from Kareem Hunt. West, who was signed and quickly released by the New York Jets this season, worked out for the Chiefs on Monday with fellow running back C.J. Anderson. --The Carolina Panthers have made changes to their coaching staff in the wake of their fourth consecutive loss. The Panthers relieved defensive line coach Brady Hoke and assistant secondary/cornerbacks coach Jeff Imamura of their duties, the team announced. The dismissals come one day after the Panthers (6-6) dropped a 24-17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Head coach Ron Rivera will handle play-calling duties with the defense as well as work with Richard Rodgers in the secondary. First-year defensive coordinator Eric Washington will oversee the front seven while Sam Mills III will lead the defensive line, the team said. --The Arizona Cardinals produced their best win of the season on Sunday, a 20-17 victory over the Packers in Green Bay. But it came at a cost on offense. Cardinals coach Steve Wilks announced that rookie wide receiver Christian Kirk suffered a broken foot and will be placed on injured reserve. Wilks also announced that starting left guard Mike Iupati will be put on injured reserve with a knee injury. Kirk had three receptions for 54 yards Sunday and also had one rushing attempt for 23 yards against the Packers. Kirk finishes the season with 43 catches for a team-leading 590 yards. He had three touchdown receptions, which ranks second on the team to Larry Fitzgerald's five TD catches. Iupati had started all 10 games in which he played this season, and that includes Sunday's game against the Packers. --Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner sustained a right lower leg contusion in Sunday's 33-30 setback to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night. While Steelers coach Mike Tomlin didn't provide much detail, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that the prognosis is favorable. "My understanding is the injury is not to his ankle and not considered major at all," Rapoport tweeted. "Coach Mike Tomlin called it a contusion and it seems like he'll be OK, based on early impressions. How much it swells will be telling." --Detroit Lions left tackle Taylor Decker got caught up in the moment after scoring his first touchdown of his career in Sunday's 30-16 setback to the Los Angeles Rams. Decker reeled in an 11-yard reception from Matthew Stafford on a tackle-eligible play and promptly tossed the ball into the crowd at Ford Field. Upon reflection, the 6-foot-7, 311-pound Decker wished he had that souvenir and took to social media in a bid to retrieve the ball. "To whoever caught/has the ball I threw into the stands. I've played football since first grade, and that was my first ever touchdown," Decker wrote on Instagram. "I'd love to have that ball, and would be more than happy to hook you up if you'd be willing. #defendtheden #bigmantouchdown" On Monday, Decker tweeted that he believes he's found the person who caught his impromptu pass. "I HAVE FOUND HIM!!!!!!! AND HE IS BEING GREAT ABOUT IT #socialmediastrikesagain" --Green Bay Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy made two things clear during a news conference: First, Sunday's loss to the Arizona Cardinals sealed Mike McCarthy's doom as the Packers' head coach. Second, Murphy will make the choice of the next head coach, with input from general manager Brian Gutekunst. Regarding the decision to fire McCarthy, who will be replaced on an interim basis by Joe Philbin , Murphy said, "I think we all would have preferred to do this after the season, but the performance on Sunday made it clear a coaching change was necessary." He called the 20-17 loss to Arizona "unacceptable." When asked whether McCarthy would have been fired if Packers' kicker Mason Crosby had made a 49-yard field goal on the final play to send the game into overtime, Murphy hedged, saying he did not want to answer a hypothetical question. But he again noted that Sunday's game was the final straw. "Up until yesterday, we were hopeful we'd get a big win and kind of turn the season around," he said. "The performance Sunday really sealed it for me. We did not play well. To lose to a 2-9 team at home to an Arizona team, from a dome. It was not a good performance." Murphy noted quarterback Aaron Rodgers played no part in the decision to fire McCarthy and will not be part of the selection process to find a new coach.