Browns HC Kevin Stefanski makes decision on RB1
The Browns lost star running back Nick Chubb to a season-ending knee injury in Week 2. But after reuniting with RB Kareem Hunt on Wednesday, head coach Kevin Stefanski revealed who the team's RB1 will be.
"Jerome [Ford] is the lead back," Stefanski told reporters. "We have to work through all of those types of things and what Kareem's ready to do this week, if he's ready to go this week and what type of load he can carry."
Stefanski's decision may come as a surprise as Hunt spent the past four seasons in Cleveland where he rushed for 1,874 yards and 16 touchdowns as Chubb's backup.
However, the team did decide to part ways with the 28-year-old this offseason with the belief that he was "slipping" in terms of speed.
Chubb's injury just forced a reunion that most likely would not have happened otherwise. So, the Browns will now turn to Ford, a fifth-round pick from 2022 who filled in nicely after Chubb went down last weekend.
Ford finished the Week 2 matchup with 106 yards on 16 rushes, averaging an impressive 6.6 yards per carry. He also added three catches for 25 yards and a touchdown.
The 24-year-old must continue his success on the ground, however, or the team may start to lean back on Hunt. But the best-case scenario is certainly that Ford and Hunt will be a one-two punch in the run game.
Nonetheless, Cleveland is in a much better position with Hunt back on its roster, especially because QB Deshaun Watson's struggles continued as he turned the football over three times (two fumbles, one interception) in the team's 26-22 loss to the Steelers on "Monday Night Football."
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