Cleveland Browns staff writer, Kelsey Russo, reports that RB Jerome Ford is “poised to have another strong season in the featured back role.”
Jerome Ford was one of two running backs who made it through 53-man roster cuts, the other being Pierre Strong who has always been in a reserve role for the Browns. While they’ve since resigned D’onta Foreman as added depth, Ford has a clear path to a significant workload to start the season. Nick Chubb is Ford’s biggest competition, who is still recovering from the second significant injury to his left leg and will start the season on the PUP list. Nyheim Hines is also still working his way back from injury but may provide some competition to Ford later in the season on passing downs.
Ford stepped up for the Browns when Chubb went down last year, having 12 or more carries in nine games last season on the ground, while adding 44 receptions and 5 receiving touchdowns through the air. Ford’s ability to contribute in both phases make him a value at his current RB35 ADP, especially in full-PPR formats. Nick Chubb will eventually return and complicate things, but Ford will post consistent production to start the season and should be targeted by fantasy teams looking to get off to fast start in 2024.
Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford will head on the ...
Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford carried the ball ...
Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford carried the ball ...
Nick Chubb will start the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list as he recovers from his brutal knee injury.
Nick Chubb is expected to miss the first 4 games of the NFL season due to his continued recovery from a devastating knee injury that ended his 2023 season early. Chubb, who has a great track record at recovering from significant injuries will still need time to onboard into the 2024 season.
Given Nick Chubb is 28 years old and has significant tread on his tires, the Browns are wise to give one of their most beloved players extra time to prepare for the 2024 season. As it sits right now, the earliest Chubb will begin playing for the Browns in 2024 is week 5 against the Washington Commanders.
The biggest beneficiary from Nick Chubb’s absence will be Jerome Ford who is going in round 10 on UnderDog. Fellow backfield mate D’Onta Foreman suffered a rib injury in the preseason game against the Seahawks so all indicators are that Jerome Ford will be a huge value to start the 2024 season. Drafters need to be selecting Jerome Ford with their closeout picks in best ball drafts and scooping value in redraft leagues where Ford goes late.
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.
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.
