With Nick Chubb lost for the season, the Cleveland Browns took a committee approach to their backfield, splitting the workload between second-year guard Jerome Ford and veteran Kareem Hunt.
Establishing a consistent running game became a little more difficult on Monday, as reports suggested Ford will be out for the next one to two weeks with what has been diagnosed as an “eye sprain low level ankle”.
Ford was injured in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game against Indianapolis. He apparently limped off the field and did not return to the game.
Cleveland’s next two games are against two NFC West opponents, starting with a trip to Seattle next weekend. The Browns then return home to host the Arizona Cardinals in November. 5.
During Chubb’s absence, Ford was at times a spark plug for the Browns’ offense. Against the Colts, the University of Cincinnati product had a 69-yard touchdown run on the third play of the game’s first series.
He had a touchdown of the same distance in Week 2 against the Steelers, after replacing Chubb. This game was also Ford’s first career 100-yard rushing performance.
With Ford sidelined for a short period of time, the team will look to Hunt to carry more of the backfield workload. The Cleveland native has looked more and more comfortable since being signed as a free agent ahead of Week 3.
Hunt had two touchdowns, including the game winning score in the team’s 39-38 win over Indianapolis.
Pierre Strong Jr. could also see more work at tailback for the Browns.
The former Patriots running back earned eight touches for 25 yards after Ford exited this past weekend.
