Cleveland activated Hunt (ankle) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday.
Though he's cleared the NFL's COVID-19 return-to-play protocol, Hunt still will need to prove he's not hindered by the ankle injury he sustained Dec. 12 against the Ravens. The time on the COVID-19 list may have been a blessing in disguise for Hunt, who received the opportunity to rest the ankle while in quarantine rather than gearing up for a quick return and potentially suffering an aggravation. Cleveland won't play its Week 17 game until next Monday, Jan. 3 in Pittsburgh, so Hunt will have some additional time to prove his health. Once deemed ready to go, he'll likely displace D'Ernest Johnson as the top change-of-pace option behind lead back Nick Chubb.