The Browns have found their replacement for RB Nick Chubb, who suffered a season-ending injury in Week 2, and it’s a familiar face that many believed was a long shot to return.
Cleveland is reuniting with RB Kareem Hunt, who spent the past four seasons with the team, on a one-year, $4M deal. Following visits with the Saints and Colts, he winds up back anyway.
The reunion may be a little awkward at first after it was reported that the Browns decided to part ways with the 28-year-old this offseason with the belief that he was “slipping” in terms of speed. However, desperate times call for desperate measures.
Hunt now has the chance to take over for Chubb after acting as his backup from 2019-22. The veteran running back rushed for 1,874 yards and 16 touchdowns in his four seasons with Cleveland.
Although, he won’t be handed the starting job. Running back Jerome Ford, the Browns’ fifth-round pick from 2022, filled in nicely after Chubb went down in Week 2 and will likely be given a chance to be the RB1 following his strong performance.
The 24-year-old had 106 yards on 16 rushes, averaging an impressive 6.6 yards per carry. He also added three catches for 25 yards and a touchdown.
Only time will tell how Cleveland’s new-look backfield will play out, but it could certainly be a running back-by-committee approach to start.
Either way, the Browns are in a much better situation with Hunt back on their 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.”