Newly signed Brown will play key role 'down the stretch'

The Browns backfield took another hit in Week 7 after RB Jerome Ford left Sunday's win over the Colts with an ankle injury. Ford is expected to miss one to two weeks with a low-grade high ankle sprain, which means a recently signed running back is the next man up.

That player is RB Kareem Hunt, who signed a one-year deal with Cleveland at the end of September.

Hunt's snap share has already been increasing each week and he had by far his best performance of the year against Indianapolis, rushing for two touchdowns, including the game winner.

The 28-year-old will now likely take over as RB1 until Ford is able to return. However, even when Ford is fully healthy, DE Myles Garrett believes Hunt will play a key role for the team the rest of the way.

"The man's special. He showed that when he was with us the first time around," Garrett told reporters. "He's just catching his stride, coming back to who we know he is. It's a huge confidence boost for him and for this team, knowing that he's going to be able to make those plays down the stretch."

Hunt spent the past four seasons with the Browns until they parted ways with him in the offseason with the belief that he was "slipping" in terms of speed. But the season-ending injury to star RB Nick Chubb forced a reunion and it seems to be working out well so far.

The veteran running back already has as many rushing touchdowns (three) in four games this year as he did all last season. Now he'll have the opportunity to prove Cleveland wrong for doubting him in the first place.

If Hunt continues to play well in Ford's absence, he may just extend his NFL career by a couple more years. But it won't come easy in Week 8 against the Seahawks (4-2), who have allowed the sixth-least rushing yards per game (87.2) in the league.