Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Snap Count Takeaways: Jerome Ford Sees Top RB Usage

Originally posted on Cleveland Browns on SI
By Anthony Poisal | Last updated 11/6/23

The Cleveland Browns laid a thorough beating on the Cardinals on Sunday with a 27-0 win at Cleveland Browns Stadium, and we’re breaking down what stood out from the snap counts.

- Running back Jerome Ford appeared back up to full speed from the ankle injury he suffered two weeks ago, playing 47 snaps (64 percent) and carrying heavy workloads as both a rusher and receiver. Ford totaled 20 carries for 44 yards — a rather disappointing total — but also was the Browns’ second leading receiver with five receptions for 33 yards.

Kareem Hunt wasn’t far behind Ford in rushing opportunities and had 14 carries for 38 yards and one touchdown, but he played in only 21 snaps (29 percent).

The performance wasn’t anything special from Ford, but it appears the Browns are ready to feature him more prominently again than Hunt and Pierre Strong Jr., who saw just five snaps.

- Tackle James Hudson entered the game for Jedrick Wills Jr. after Wills was carted off in the third quarter with a knee injury. Hudson played 39 snaps (53 percent).

- Wide receiver James Proche II was signed to the practice squad prior to Week 9 and played 10 special teams snaps and six offensive snaps. He returned six punts for 55 yards in the game, including an impressive 17-yard return.

- Cornerback M.J. Emerson Jr. played a defense-leading 44 snaps (85 percent) and took over the much of the workload left from Greg Newsome’s absence due to a groin injury.

- Cornerbacks Mike Ford Jr. and Kahlef Hailassie each played 10 defensive snaps, their highest totals in a game this season. Their bigger roles were also because of Newsome’s absence.

- Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst played 25 snaps (48 percent), marking the second straight week where he logged over 45 percent of the defensive snaps. Only Dalvin Tomlinson (33 snaps) played more than him among the Browns’ defensive tackles.

This article first appeared on Cleveland Browns on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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