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 rushed the ball 10 times for 18 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-3 win over the Titans. He added two receptions on three targets for 33 yards and another score.
This was Cleveland's first full game without Nick Chubb (knee), and Ford led the backfield with 12 total touches. However, he didn't dominate work, as both Kareem Hunt and Pierre Strong entered the game on the first drive, racking up seven and six touches, respectively. Ford was the least efficient of the backs on the ground, but he managed to salvage his day with a 19-yard touchdown reception and a three-yard plunge into the end zone. He should get another chance to lead Cleveland's backfield in Week 4, but he'll face a tough matchup against the division-rival Ravens.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Start Him (Lineup Decision)
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If the matchup were better Ford would be a runaway must-start. But even in a tough matchup Ford carries appeal because the Browns can use him in the pass game, work him on the edges of the Titans defense and, frankly, need to get some pressure off of Deshaun Watson's shoulders. I'd expect north of 15 touches in what feels like a competitive low-scoring game, perfect for Ford's game script. It's a little risky but I'd chance it with Ford over Javonte Williams, Isiah Pacheco and certainly Najee Harris.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Week 3 Waiver Priority List
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Ford stepped up in a major way with Nick Chubb (knee) going down Monday night at Pittsburgh, and Ford will likely be the starter in Cleveland for the rest of the season. Against the Steelers, Ford had 16 carries for 106 yards and three catches for 25 yards and a touchdown on four targets. He had a 69-yard run to get the Browns down to the 1-yard line in the third quarter, and eventually Pierre Strong Jr. got into the end zone. Cleveland can still add a running back to the roster, but barring a trade of someone significant, Ford should be a top-20 Fantasy running back in all leagues moving forward. He's worth at least 50 percent of your remaining FAB, if not more, given his upside in this role with Chubb out.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Week 3 Adds (RB Preview)
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We expect Ford to be the lead back in Cleveland even if they bring someone in. The team chose him over Kareem Hunt in the offseason and his 131-yard game in Week 2 didn't change that opinion. View Ford as an RB2 rest of season, and depending on how bad your running back room is, that could be worth a lot of FAB.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Excels as in-game replacement
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Ford rushed 16 times for 106 yards and brought in three of four targets for 25 yards and a touchdown in the Browns' 26-22 loss to the Steelers on Monday night. He also recorded a two-point conversion rush.
Ford took over lead-back duties once Nick Chubb went down with what Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports could be a season-ending knee injury early in the second quarter. Ford continued to torment the Steelers' defense in much the same manner as Chubb had before exiting, finishing with a career-high yardage total while also flashing his pass-catching chops. The 2022 fifth-round pick is now in line to helm the Browns' ground attack if Chubb's injury is as bad as feared, although a signing of a free-agent veteran such as Kareem Hunt, who is naturally quite familiar with Cleveland's offense, would interfere with those plans to an extent.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Logs double-digit carries
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Ford rushed 15 times for 38 yards, had a red-zone fumble, and was not targeted in Sunday's 24-3 win over the Bengals in Week 1. He did not get a chance to return a kickoff.
Ford had a first-quarter fumble in the red zone, but his gaffe did not end up having an impact on the game. Messy field conditions in Cleveland offer an excuse, but Ford will want to exercise better ball security in his new role as Cleveland's primary backup to Nick Chubb, who had 18 carries for 106 yards. The backfield took a back seat to the wide receivers in terms of targets, as only four passes were directed to running backs (all to Chubb). It was unclear how much use Ford would get after barely seeing time on offense in 2022, but the second-year back was on the field for 30 offensive plays (42 percent share) compared to Chubb's 34 and had as many touches as Kareem Hunt did in last season's opener.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Back at practice
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Ford (hamstring) returned to practice Tuesday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Ford had been nursing a hamstring injury, but now that he's back on the field, he'll look to cement his role as Nick Chubb's top backup. Also in the Browns' backfield mix in the wake of Tuesday's roster cuts is recent trade acquisition Pierre Strong, who slots in as a change-of-pace option for the team.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Could be ready for Week 1
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Coach Kevin Stefanski noted Tuesday that Ford (hamstring) won't practice this week but that the running back hasn't been ruled out for the Browns' season opener Sept. 10 against the Bengals, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
The report adds that Ford is making progress in his recovery from a hamstring injury, and the hope is that the running back will be ready for Week 1 action. Once he's back in the mix, the 2022 fifth-rounder is slated to back up Nick Chubb, the Browns' clear-cut lead runner. In Ford's absence, added reps are available for Demetric Felton, John Kelly, Hassan Hall and Jordan Wilkins.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Injured during practice
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Ford left practice early Monday due to a hamstring injury, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegramreports.
Ford is currently expected to hold down the No. 2 running back role behind starter Nick Chubb. However, his injury could derail those plans if he has to miss any kind of extended time. Selected in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Ford mainly worked as a return man last season, but with the departures of Kareem Hunt and D'Ernest Johnson, the 23-year-old is in line for a significant increase in opportunities in 2023. Ford now will focus on making a return to the field as soon as possible.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Gets work at running back
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Ford has received a steady dose of reps at running back over the first few practices at training camp, Anthony Poisal of the Browns' official site reports.
This should not come as a surprise, as the Browns let Kareem Hunt and D'Ernest Johnson walk during the offseason, paving the way for Ford to become the top backup to starter Nick Chubb. Of note, Poisal points out Ford is getting a chance to show off his receiving ability out of the backfield. "A big reason that we drafted him in '22 was because of his ability as a receiver, and we think that he'll be able to play that role really well," Cleveland general manager Andrew Berry said. Ford also worked with kick returners Tuesday.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Will remain top returner
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Ford will remain the Browns' top kick returner in 2023, Anthony Poisal of the Browns' official site reports.
Ford, who was Cleveland's primary returner on kickoffs last year, will retain those duties even though his role on offense will expand as the No. 2 running back behind Nick Chubb. Cleveland running backs coach Stump Mitchell is confident Ford can step in as the top backup, a role handled by Kareem Hunt the last four seasons, noting Ford's strong work this spring on pass protection.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Top man at OTAs
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Ford was the first running back in full team drills Wednesday, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.
Top back Nick Chubb was notably absent from the voluntary OTA program, so Ford moved into the lead role for the practice. He impressed decision-makers as a rookie and appears headed for a larger role behind Chubb in 2023.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Five carries in win
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Ford had a season-high five carries for nine yards and returned one kickoff for 23 yards in Sunday's 24-10 win over Washington in Week 17.
Ford played a season-high seven snaps on offense as the Browns, whose postseason chances were eliminated last week, begin preparations for 2023. The rookie had more touches than Kareem Hunt (two carries, one catch), who is in the final year of his contact. Also notable is that D'Ernest Johnson, in the final year of his deal, did not play at all on offense. Barring an offseason addition in the draft, Ford appears on track to be Nick Chubb's top backup next season.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Gets first carries
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Ford had three carries for three yards and returned three kickoffs for 48 yards in Sunday's 27-14 win over the Texans.
Ford had appeared in games as a special teams player only until Sunday, when he played seven snaps on offense and was given his first touches as a running back. With Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt healthy, there isn't much need for a third back. However, it was interesting to see Ford get snaps over D'Ernest Johnson.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Limited to return duties
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Ford returned two kickoffs for 49 yards in Sunday's 31-23 loss to the Bills in Week 11.
Ford has been valuable on special teams, averaging 26.3 yards per return -- third among players with at least 10 returns. Once again, Demetric Felton was inactive, so Ford appears to have that role locked up.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Back from IR
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Cleveland activated Ford (ankle) from its injured reserve list Saturday ahead of Sunday's game at Miami, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
After sitting out the Browns' last four games, Ford appears to have fully recovered from the ankle injury he sustained in Week 4 versus Atlanta. The fifth-round rookie will likely resume his role as Cleveland's primary kick returner in Week 10.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Designated to return from IR
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Ford (ankle) was designated to return from injured reserve Monday.
The Browns now have a 21-day window to either activate Ford or leave him on IR for the remainder of the season. The running back has been out since suffering a left ankle injury in Week 4 versus the Falcons and would likely slide back into a prominent role as a return specialist for Cleveland once healthy.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Returns kicks Saturday
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Ford returned one kickoff for 22 yards in Saturday's preseason finale against the Bears.
Ford did not play a snap on offense, suggesting the Browns have seen enough of the fifth-round draft pick, who was impressive over the first two preseason games. He's an apparent lock to earn a spot at running back, but with a such a crowded position, the Browns could be looking at the rookie as a returner. Jakeem Grant, a wide receiver signed to be the primary returner for punts and kickoffs, suffered an Achilles injury and is expected to miss most, if not all, of the season. In addition to Ford's usage Saturday, Ja'Marcus Bradley and Mike Harley filled return roles during preseason action.
The Browns selected Ford in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 156th overall.
It's unclear how Ford will carve out playing time after joining a Browns running-back room filled to the brim with talent, but the redshirt junior was a star for Cincinnati last season, tallying 1,319 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns en route to first-team All-AAC honors. The 22-year-old really has solid lateral agility and a good burst through the hole when he sees it, but Ford isn't exactly a tackle breaker and lacks vision near the line of scrimmage. At the very least, Ford should be a solid special teams player and could emerge as a quality backup in spot starts, similar to teammate D'Ernest Johnson.
