Browns RB Jerome Ford OUT at least 1 week with a “low grade, high ankle” sprain
The Clevland Browns will be without breakout RB performer Jerome Ford in week 8. After breaking out for a 69yd TD to kick off the scoring this past Sunday Jerome Ford would exit the game later and not return. His injury has been called a “low grade, high ankle” sprain and is expected to sideline him for at least 1 week, but possibly 2.
The injury left the Browns thin at the RB position as veteran RB Kareem Hunt came into the game with a questionable tag but managed to play. Second year RB Pierre Strong Jr who was acquired in a trade with the New England Patriots was the main beneficiary of the Ford injury. Pierre Strong out-touched Kareem Hunt 8-5 and had a higher snap share 63%-34% after Ford exited the game.
Although Pierre Strong led the Browns backfield in usage rate statics after Ford left the game, it was Kareem Hunt who got home with 2TDs in the game. Hunt also received the only other target out the backfield outside of Jerome Ford. Hunt was a game time decision with a thigh injury, which could explain his limited usage but it is clear that the Browns wanted to give him the high leverage touches in Fords absence. Hunt scored the game winning TD for the Browns and is expected to be the clear top RB with Ford out. Pierre Strong’s usage can not be ignored though. While RB needy fantasy managers are scrambling to aquire Hunt, the cheaper low-risk high-reward play is to acquire Pierre Strong. The Browns have always had enough touches in this offense to make 2 RBs fantasy relevant. With Hunt being older and already banged up Pierre Strong will be a week winning RB if anything were to limit Hunt the next two weeks.
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Jerome Ford was named the lead RB by Browns Head Coach Kevin Stefanski following Monday nights season ending injury to Star RB Nick Chubb.
Cleveland Browns RB Nick Chubb went down Monday night with a gruesome knee injury. In the wake of his injury second year RB Jerome Ford took over lead RB duties and if HC Kevin Stefanski is to be believed Ford will continue to be the lead.
Jerome Ford took over and picked up right where Nick Chubb left off Monday night. Ford finished the game with 106 yards on 16 carries, and added 3 receptions for 25 yards. The performance in the wake of Chubb’s injury was enough for Browns HC Kevin Stefanski to name Ford the lead RB moving forward. The only other RB to get a touch in Monday night’s game was Pierre Strong Jr who ended the game with 3 total opportunities.
Although Ford’s performance earned him the confidence of Stefanski, the Browns currently only have 2 RBs on the roster. We can assume that the Browns will be adding a RB this week as there have already been multiple reports of by Adam Schefter and Mary Kay Cabot stating the Brown’s interest in a couple of vetern RBs. Tuesday the Browns brought in Kareem Hunt for a visit, Hunt spent the last 4 years in Stefanskis offense so the possible reunion makes sense. The other RB the Browns have had interest in us recently deactivated LA Rams RB Cam Akers. The Browns have already chosen to let Hunt go in favor of Ford this offseason, and Akers has repeatedly fallen out of favor with coaches and has been historically inefficient as a runner. Neither RB should challenge Fords lead back role so fantasy managers should be aggressive trying to acquire Ford.
