ESPN’s Jake Trotter writes that Browns RB D'Ernest Johnson “could be the odd man out” in the backfield. Trotter points out that Johnson's due a reasonable $900K in guaranteed money, so the contract isn’t an issue. Cleveland also spent a Round 5 pick on Cincinnati RB Jerome Ford. In what could be a lost season for Cleveland — pending the length of Deshaun Watson’s suspension — it might make the most sense to get something in return for Johnson. Note that Kareem Hunt enters a contract season; Nick Chubb is signed through 2024.
Browns RB Kareem Hunt says that he’d love to remain with the team long-term. "I was born and raised here," Hunt told beat writer Mary Kay Cabot. "I'd love to finish my career here and just keep playing the game with [Nick] Chubb longer and with the great guys on this great team.” Trade rumors followed Hunt this offseason, but for now, indications are that he'll remain in Cleveland -- at least in the short term. Hunt, 27 in August, enters the final season of a 2-year deal.
The Browns selected RB Jerome Ford in Round 5 of the 2022 NFL Draft. A 4-star high school recruit, Ford started out at Alabama before transferring to Cincinnati. He broke out as a senior with 215-1,1319-19 rushing (plus 21 catches) alongside QB Desmond Ridder. Ford’s tape shows some boom or bust tendencies, but there’s enough here in raw speed alone to pique our interest. At 5’11, 210 pounds, he ran a 4.46 forty with a strong 1.55 ten-yard split. Ford will sit behind Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt in Cleveland this year, but Hunt is set to hit free agency next offseason. Chubb is signed through 2024.
Browns RB Kareem Hunt (ankle) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Bengals. RB D’Ernest Johnson came off the COVID list earlier this week and will be the #2 RB behind Nick Chubb today.
Browns RB Kareem Hunt (ankle) was limited in practice all week and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s finale vs. the Bengals. Cleveland has been eliminated from playoff contention and might not want to play Hunt at less than 100%. We’ll find out whether he’s active around 11:30 am ET on Sunday. RB D'Ernest Johnson was placed on the COVID list on Monday and remains there as of Friday afternoon.
Browns RB D'Ernest Johnson was placed on the COVID list on Monday. We'll see if he can get cleared in time for Sunday's finale vs. the Bengals. Johnson surprisingly out-snapped RB Nick Chubb 39 to 30 in the Week 17 loss to Pittsburgh but finished with just 14 yards on 6 touches. He'll be off the fantasy radar if RB Kareem Hunt returns from his ankle injury.
Browns RB Kareem Hunt (ankle) is inactive for tonight's game vs. the Steelers. He put in 2 limited practices this week, so he seemingly has a good shot to be back for next weekend's finale vs. the Bengals. Nick Chubb will dominate work in Cleveland's backfield tonight.
Browns RB Kareem Hunt (ankle) is listed as questionable for Monday night's game vs. the Steelers. He put in limited practices on Friday and Saturday. Hunt would be a shaky fantasy play coming off the high-ankle sprain if he does suit up. Throw in the Monday night kickoff, and Hunt should remain on fantasy benches. His return would put a dent in RB Nick Chubb's upside, though.
Browns RB Kareem Hunt (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's game vs. the Raiders. Believed to be dealing with a high-ankle sprain, he'll likely miss multiple games. RB Nick Chubb should get workhorse usage this weekend, while #2 RB D'Ernest Johnson could push for 10+ touches for the undermanned Browns.
Browns HC Kevin Stefanski labeled RB Kareem Hunt "week to week" with his ankle injury and called him "unlikely" to play vs. the Raiders on Saturday. It sounds like Hunt could miss time beyond that. His absence will elevate D'Ernest Johnson to the #2 spot on the depth chart but ultimately mean more touches for RB Nick Chubb. In 3 games without Hunt this season, Chubb has averaged 17.3 carries and 1.7 targets. Johnson averaged 5.7 carries and 1 target across those 3 games.
Browns HC Kevin Stefanski said Friday that he expects RB Kareem Hunt (calf) to play vs. the Ravens on Sunday night. Hunt has been out since Week 6 but returned to practice this week. In 5 games alongside RB Nick Chubb this season, Hunt has averaged 11.0 carries and 4.2 targets to Chubb's 18 carries and 1 target. Expect a similar workload split this weekend.
Browns HC Kevin Stefanski expects to get RB Kareem Hunt (calf) back at practice this week and is "hopeful" he'll be able to play vs. the Ravens on Sunday. Hunt has been sidelined since Week 6. Once healthy, he should return to a significant role behind RB Nick Chubb in what will continue to be a run-centric Cleveland offense.
Browns RB Nick Chubb has been activated from the COVID list, putting him on track to return for Sunday's game vs. the Lions. Chubb racked up 30 carries to D'Ernest Johnson's 12 across Weeks 8 and 9. We'd expect a similar split this weekend. The matchup vs. Detroit's 30th-ranked RB defense makes Chubb a RB1 and Johnson a RB3 or flex play.
Browns HC Kevin Stefanski said Thursday that RB Nick Chubb (COVID) is "trending in the right direction." Perhaps that means Chubb has returned his 1st negative COVID test and just needs the 2nd. We're still assuming he'll be cleared for Sunday's game vs. the Lions, but stay tuned to Shark Bites for updates on the situation.
Browns RB Nick Chubb remains on the COVID list. RB John Kelly was removed from the list on Thursday morning, but Chubb and RB Demetric Felton were not. Chubb still has a few days to be cleared for Sunday's game vs. the Lions, but he's not a lock to be available for that one. D'Ernest Johnson would be a RB1 if Chubb remains out.
Browns RBs Nick Chubb, Demetric Felton and John Kelly will miss this weekend's game vs. the Patriots on the COVID list, HC Kevin Stefanski said Friday. We'd expect Chubb back for Week 11 but will continue to keep tabs on his status. It'll be D'Ernest Johnson and Brian Hill, who was signed earlier this week, in Cleveland's backfield on Sunday. Johnson should handle the vast majority of the RB touches against New England's middling run defense. Johnson, of course, ran for 146 yards and a score on 22 carries vs. the Broncos back in Week 7.
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