After totaling eight carries over two games as a rookie in 2022, Jerome Ford begins the season as the presumptive backup to Nick Chubb, provided the Browns don't add another back between cutdown day and Week 1 or give a bigger than expected role to trade acquisition Pierre Strong out the gate. The No. 2 role in Cleveland belonged to Kareem Hunt in the past and usually meant roughly 10 or 12 touches per game. Ford has enough size and power with solid speed, plus he proved in college he could reel in targets, so he has potential. But his sleeper appeal took a huge hit when he injured a hamstring in camp and missed the preseason, though he was able to return to practice following the preseason finale and the team chose to carry just three running backs on the initial 53-man roster.
Ford has scored at least 11.9 PPR points in five games in a row and six of his past seven outings. He hit 14.9 PPR points in Week 13 at the Rams thanks to a 24-yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco, and Ford now has seven catches for 47 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets in his past two games. His role in the passing game should matter in Week 14 against the Jaguars, who lead the NFL in most receptions allowed to running backs with 84. There have been 10 running backs with at least four catches against Jacksonville this season, including Joe Mixon and Devin Singletary with six each in the past two weeks. I hope Flacco remains the quarterback for the Browns because he should lean on Ford quite a bit as a receiver in this matchup.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Finds end zone in Week 13 loss
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Ford carried the ball nine times for 19 yards and caught all three of his targets for 33 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 36-19 loss to the Rams.
He and Kareem Hunt essentially switched roles in this one, as Hunt led the Browns with 12 carries but it was Ford who made an impact through the air. How much of that usage was due to Joe Flacco being under center rather than rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson (concussion) isn't yet clear, but the backfield duo figures to remain in some sort of timeshare heading into a Week 14 clash with the Jaguars' stout run defense.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Solid showing against Denver
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Ford carried the ball nine times for 65 yards and caught four of seven targets for 14 yards in Sunday's 29-12 loss to the Broncos.
Despite his big 7.2 yards per carry average, Ford failed to get double-digit carries for only the third time this season as the Browns struggled to control the ball with rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson (concussion) and then PJ Walker under center. Ford remains the team's top backfield option over Kareem Hunt (seven touches for 22 yards Sunday), and he's topped 70 scrimmage yards in three of the last four games despite the turmoil around him in the offense. Regardless of who's at quarterback, Ford should see a significant role in Week 13 against the Rams.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Expected heavy workload
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Ford is expected to have a significant role Week 12 against the Broncos, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.
Cleveland's Week 12 gameplan shouldn't change much from last week -- ride the combination of Ford and Kareem Hunt while making short, manageable throws from rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. What makes the plan enticing is the Broncos' last-in-the-league run defense, which has allowed 160 yards per game. That average is partially skewed by a Week 3 loss to Miami (350 rushing yards), but even on its current four-game win streak, Denver has given up 5.3 yards per carry. Ford, who is now five weeks removed from a high-ankle sprain, could see a heavy workload in Denver.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: RBs to Start
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Ford has proven to have a safe floor of at least 11 PPR points, which he's hit in five of the past six games, including three in a row. This week, we could see Ford go off against the Broncos, and I also like Kareem Hunt as a sleeper in all leagues. Denver is No. 1 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and nine running backs have scored at least 14 PPR points against the Broncos this season, including three in the past two games against Buffalo (Latavius Murray and James Cook) and Minnesota (Ty Chandler). Hunt has scored a touchdown in five of his past six games, with six total scores over that span.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Saves day with touchdown
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Ford rushed the ball 12 times for 31 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 13-10 win over the Steelers. He added two receptions on five targets for eight yards.
In a change from prior weeks, Ford split work out of the Cleveland backfield exactly evenly with Kareem Hunt. Neither put up an impressive line, but Ford did cash in a one-yard score to record the Browns' only touchdown of the day. While that saved his performance in Week 11, he may have difficulty finding success with Dorian Thompson-Robinson under center, as opposing defenses may be willing to crowd the line of scrimmage. Big numbers may be particularly hard to come by if Ford continues to evenly split work with Hunt.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Sleeper RBs
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Ford and Kareem Hunt will be the focal point of the Browns offense with Deshaun Watson (shoulder) now out for the season. And Ford is worth using as a No. 2 Fantasy running back in all leagues against the Steelers. He came on for an injured Nick Chubb (knee) against Pittsburgh in Week 2 and had 16 carries for 106 yards and three catches for 25 yards and a touchdown on four targets, and he comes into this game with at least 11.1 PPR points in four of his past five outings. The Steelers have allowed a running back to score at least 13.6 PPR points in four of their past five games, including three rushing touchdowns over that span. Hunt can be considered a flex option this week, and he has six rushing touchdowns in his past five games.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Tops 100 yards against Ravens
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Ford rushed the ball 17 times for 107 yards in Sunday's 33-31 win over the Ravens. He added one reception for two yards.
Ford continued to lead the Browns backfield, as he out-touched Kareem Hunt by an 18-10 margin. He recorded his second 100-yard effort of the season and also became only the second back to reach the century mark on the ground against the Ravens. Much of that came on big plays of 28 and 13 yards, though Ford averaged an impressive 6.3 yards per carry overall. Since Cleveland's bye in Week 5, Ford has topped 80 yards from scrimmage in three of five games.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Garners 25 touches in win
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Ford rushed 20 times for 44 yards and secured five of seven targets for 33 yards in the Browns' 27-0 win over the Cardinals on Sunday.
Ford outpaced backfield mate Kareem Hunt by six carries, and neither back was able to find much success save for Hunt's short touchdown run against what had been a fairly porous Cardinals run defense. However, Ford was able to partly make up for the inefficient day on the ground with impressive volume as a receiver, and his hefty workload dispelled any concerns about the condition of his previously gimpy ankle. Ford is likely to remain the de facto lead back in a Week 10 road divisional showdown against the Ravens.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Suiting up alongside Watson Week 9
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Ford (ankle) practiced fully Friday and doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports.
Ford upgraded to full participation Friday after being limited Wednesday and Thursday. He injured his ankle in Week 7 against the Colts and played through the injury in Week 8 against the Seahawks, though Ford handled only nine carries compared to 14 for Kareem Hunt and 10 for Pierre Strong. Hunt and Strong could remain involved Sunday, but if Ford's close to full health, he'll likely reclaim the lead back role in a Browns offense that will be welcoming back starting quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder).
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Stays limited in practice
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Ford (ankle) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Ford is still working his way back from a right high-ankle sprain sustained in the Browns' Week 7 win over the Colts, but the injury didn't stop him from being available for this past Sunday's loss to the Seahawks, albeit in a limited capacity. After following up his nine-carry, one-catch performance in Seattle with two limited practices to begin Week 9 prep, Ford appears on track to play Sunday against the Cardinals, but it's not yet clear if he'll head into the game with an injury designation. If Ford can put in a full practice Friday, it would improve his odds of not only entering the weekend without a designation, but also reclaiming the lead role out of the Cleveland backfield from Kareem Hunt.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Deemed limited Wednesday
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Ford (ankle) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.
Per Zac Jackson of The Athletic, Ford said his ankle feels "pretty good" at this stage of the week, an indication he experienced no setbacks with playing through the injury in this past Sunday's loss to the Seahawks. After suffering the high-ankle sprain in the Browns' Week 7 win over the Colts, Ford initially didn't appear to be in line to play Week 8, but he was ultimately active for the contest despite carrying a questionable designation into Sunday. Ford was more limited than usual against Seattle -- his 23 snaps on offense were his fewest of the season -- but he accounted for 39 yards on 10 touches (nine carries, one reception) and should be ready to handle a larger workload Week 9 against the Cardinals. Even so, Ford will likely still need to return to full participation in practice by Friday to ensure he enters the weekend without a designation.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Volume decreases
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Ford carried the ball nine times for 37 yards in Sunday's 24-20 loss to the Seahawks.
Ford was surprisingly active after suffering an ankle injury in Week 7, though he was on the wrong end of a three-way backfield split for Cleveland. The Browns were clearly monitoring his volume and saved him for the fourth quarter, when he accounted for seven of his nine carries. Ford is unlikely to get a full workload during the second half of the season, though it's realistic to expect his volume to tick back up once his ankle has some time to heal. With that in mind, monitoring his practice participation will be important leading into a Week 9 matchup against the Cardinals.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Present for practice Friday
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Ford (ankle) was spotted on the field for practice Friday, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.
Trotter reported earlier in Week 8 prep that Ford's "low grade, high ankle" sprain was expected to sideline him for 1-to-2 weeks, but the running back's appearance on the field Friday offers hope that he might be able to play Sunday against the Seahawks. The Browns' final Week 8 injury report will be released later Friday and will bring further clarity to Ford's status. While Ford missed practice both Wednesday and Thursday, Kareem Hunt (thigh) returned to a limited session Thursday after being sidelined Wednesday. Hunt will likely be in line to lead the backfield Sunday if Ford is held out or is limited.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Missing from practice Thursday
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Ford (ankle) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
The Browns haven't officially ruled Ford out for Sunday's game against the Seahawks, but with two straight absences from practice to begin Week 8 prep, the running back looks all but guaranteed to sit out this weekend. On a positive note, the Browns remain optimistic that Ford's right high-ankle sprain will keep him out for just 1-to-2 weeks, putting him on track to avoid a stint on injured reserve, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. According to Petrak, Kareem Hunt is scheduled to practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday's session due to a lingering thigh injury, so he'll presumably be in line to lead the backfield in Seattle while Pierre Strong works in a complementary role.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Not practicing Wednesday
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Ford (ankle) won't practice Wednesday, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.
Kareem Hunt (thigh) will also sit out Wednesday's session, and with Nick Chubb (knee) done for the season and Jake Trotter of ESPN.com having already reported that Ford is expected to miss 1-to-2 weeks, it's not surprising that the Browns signed Nate McCrary and Jordan Wilkins to the practice squad this week to add healthy bodies to a depleted running back room. For now, Pierre Strong profiles as the healthiest back on Cleveland's roster, though Hunt would likely serve as the Browns' lead option Sunday in Seattle if he can overcome his own thigh injury.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Slated to miss time with ankle injury
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Ford is reportedly dealing with what Adam Schefter of ESPN describes as a low grade, high right-ankle sprain that is expected to sideline the running back for one-to-two weeks.
The team has yet to confirm Ford's injury, but it looks like Ford is trending toward missing Sunday's road game against the Seahawks. If that's the case, Kareem Hunt and Pierre Strong would be in line to lead the Browns' Week 8 backfield. Prior to exiting Sunday's 39-38 win over the Colts, Ford had carried 11 times for 74 yards and a TD and caught two of his four targets for 20 yards.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Knee issue downplayed
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Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt noted Thursday that Ford's knee issue isn't a concern ahead of Sunday's game against the 49ers, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Ford was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, but it appears as though his limitations were maintenance related. That said, the Browns' top running back will need to practice fully by Friday in order to avoid a Week 6 injury designation.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Sit Him (Lineup Decisions)
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In non-PPR there's almost no way you can feel good about starting Ford given the matchup and his own inefficiency. In PPR you can hope for another game with five catches, which honestly isn't a stretch since he just had one against a good defense two games ago. Maybe he's good enough to start as an end-of-the-barrel RB2, but I'd feel better going with Rachaad White, Alexander Mattison or D'Onta Foreman.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Logs limited practice
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Ford was listed as a limited practice participant Wednesday due to a knee injury, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Even with the benefit of a Week 5 bye, Ford is apparently banged up as the Browns begin preparing for Sunday's matchup with the 49ers. The Browns' lead back has two more chances to upgrade to full participation and thus avoid taking an injury designation into the weekend.
