Jerome Ford Suffers Ankle Injury in Browns’ Win Over Colts

The Browns could be forced to work deeper into the RB depth after Ford left the game with an ankle injury

The Browns could be facing more injury questions about their starting quarterback following their wild 39-38 win over the Colts on Sunday in Indianapolis.

They might be facing injury questions about their top running back, too.

Jerome Ford suffered an ankle injury in the fourth quarter and never returned to the game after he was ruled questionable to return.

Pierre Strong Jr. and Kareem Hunt split the rushing workload after he exited, and Ford left the locker room in a walking boot, according to The Athletic’s Zac Jackson.

Ford, a second-year player who became the featured back after Nick Chubb suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2, finished with 11 carries for 74 yards and one touchdown. 69 of those yards came on a long touchdown run to open the game, but Ford largely struggled to find running space after.

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Jaylon Jones (40) chases after Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford (34) as he rushes for a touchdown Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, during a game against the Cleveland Browns at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis :: © Jenna Watson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

If Ford is forced to miss any time, Strong and Hunt would continue to be the top options to replace him, unless the Browns choose to pursue another running back before the trade deadline on Oct. 31. 

The Browns could choose to do that regardless of Ford's health — he was averaging four yards per carry heading into Week 6 and has been inconsistent since taking over for Chubb.

Strong finished the game with eight carries for 25 yards, while Hunt finished with 31 yards on 10 carries. He also scored the go-ahead touchdown on a goal-line carry with 19 seconds left.

Denzel Ward was also evaluated for head injury and went into the locker room at one point in the second half but returned to the game after he cleared concussion protocol.