Browns Lose Another Running Back To Injury

Cleveland will be down another running back when they head to Seattle for Week 8

With Nick Chubb lost for the season, the Cleveland Browns have taken a running back by committee approach to their backfield, splitting the work load between second-year back Jerome Ford and veteran Kareem Hunt.

Establishing a consistent run game got a little harder on Monday, as reports indicate Ford will miss the next one-to-two weeks with what's being diagnosed as a "low grade, high ankle sprain." Ford suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of Sunday's matchup with Indianapolis. He noticeably limped off the field and didn't return to the game.

Browns’ RB Jerome Ford - who left Sunday’s win over the Colts with an ankle injury - was diagnosed with what a source described as a “low grade, high ankle” sprain that is expected to sideline him 1-to-2 weeks.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 23, 2023

Cleveland's next two games against two NFC West foes, starting with a road trip to Seattle this upcoming weekend. The Browns then return home to host the Arizona Cardinals on Nov. 5. 

In Chubb's absence, Ford has been a spark plug for the Browns offense at times. Against the Colts, the University of Cincinnati product broke off a 69-yard touchdown on the third play of the opening series of the game. 

He had a touchdown run of the exact same distance back in Week 2 against the Steelers, after coming in to replace Chubb. That game was also the first 100-yard rushing performance of Ford's career as well. 

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.