After heading into Week 8 preparing to possibly play without their lead running back, the Cleveland Browns might not be down their top rusher after all.
Jerome Ford “wants and intends to play” for the Browns on Sunday in Seattle, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, one week after he suffered an ankle injury. Ford didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday but was a limited participant Friday, which opened the door for him to potentially play.
Ford was initially expected to miss time after suffering the injury in the second half of the Browns’ win over the Colts in Week 7, but his limited practice status Friday increased optimism he could rejoin the backfield, where he’s been Cleveland’s leading back since Nick Chubb suffered his season-ending knee injury in Week 2.
Ford leads the Browns with 344 rushing yards off 78 carries and has logged two rushing touchdowns this season. He’s also caught 14 passes for 104 yards and two receiving touchdowns.
Ford ripped off a 69-yard touchdown run on the Browns’ first drive of the game last week in Indianapolis, but he totaled just five yards on eight carries the rest of the game. He has over 70 rushing yards in each of his last two games after failing to reach the mark in the first two games after Chubb’s injury.
If Ford is unable to go, Kareem Hunt and Pierre Strong Jr. would be next in line. Jordan Wilkins was also elevated from the practice squad Saturday and would be available.
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