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.
The New England Patriots traded running back Pierre Strong to the Cleveland Browns for offensive tackle Tyrone Wheatley.
Cleveland made a very intriguing move by trading for Pierre Strong. There is not much talent behind All-Pro and first-round fantasy stud running back Nick Chubb on the Browns’ depth chart, especially after Kareem Hunt was not re-signed by the Browns.
Offseason darling Jerome Ford was getting a lot of love as a sleeper from fantasy managers but was hampered by a hamstring during training camp, leading to the move to get Strong. Chubb will remain in line for most of the touches in the backfield but as Strong begins to be implemented into the offense he may start to garner more touches than Ford. This is something to monitor going forward as we head into the season. For the time being both Ford and Strong could be rostered in deeper dynasty league formats, and Ford should be the priority.
Once the Patriots signed Ezekiel Elliot, the days of Strong being a Patriot were numbered. With teams trying to make some moves to get down to the mandatory 53-man roster, the Patriots saw an opportunity to add depth to their offensive line by trading for offensive tackle Tyrone Wheatley.
Rhamondre Stevenson will still be the Patriots running back worth rostering, but Elliot is sure to have his share of touches and must be rostered in 12-team leagues as well. Another beneficiary of the Strong trade is veteran RB Ty Montgomery. Coach Bill Belichick has endorsed Montgomery’s play in the past and this trade should signal that Montgomery should make the final roster.
