27 Kareem Hunt RB

Hunt has signed his second-round contract tender with the Browns, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Hunt, who thus stands to earn $3.26 million this coming season, carried 43 times for 179 yards and two TDs to go along with 37 catches for 285 yards and a receiving score in eight games with the Browns in 2019 after returning from an eight-game suspension. Now that he's back in the fold, the 24-year-old will continue to serve as the team's No. 2 back behind Nick Chubb. However, even in that context, Hunt's involvement in Cleveland's passing game puts the 2017 third-rounder on the PPR radar.

Hunt has received a second-round restricted free agent tender from the Browns, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Given Hunt's status as a 2017 third-round pick, the Browns probably could've gotten away with an original-round tender to dissuade any offer sheets. The decision to go a bit higher and pay more money suggests the running back is a priority, though an offseason traffic stop briefly cast doubt upon his future with the team. Hunt escaped the incident without any charges, and he'll now enter the offseason program locked in as Cleveland's No. 2 running back behind Nick Chubb. Given his off-field history, it's hard to imagine any team would surrender a second-round pick for the right to sign Hunt to an offer sheet.

Hunt won't be charged with marijuana possession following a Jan. 21 traffic stop, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Hunt will escape the situation with nothing more than a speeding ticket, but the potential exists for the NFL to mete out punishment due to his checkered history away from the field. As for his future with the Browns, he's expected to receive a restricted free-agent tender from the team before the start of the new league year March 18. Placing an original-round tender on Hunt likely would be enough to stave off overtures from other organizations for the 2017 third-round pick, who racked up 464 yards from scrimmage and three TDs on 80 touches in eight games last season.

The Browns plan to give Hunt a restricted free agent tender, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

General manager Andrew Berry confirmed the plan but didn't elaborate on the level of the tender. An original-round tag should be enough to stave off interest from other teams, considering Hunt was a third-round pick back in 2017. His talent alone might warrant giving up a draft pick in addition to an offer sheet, but Hunt's problematic off-field history reduces his value to most teams. He was in the news again last month when a police officer found a small amount of marijuana in his car, though he wasn't arrested or cited. It remains to be seen if the NFL league office takes interest in the minor incident.

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said Wednesday that he still wants Hunt to be part of the team if the running back can follow the expectations that have been laid out for him, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Hunt was in the news a couple weeks ago, when he was stopped for speeding and a police officer found a small amount of marijuana in his car. He seems to have escaped the incident with nothing more than a speeding ticket, but that doesn't necessarily mean he'll avoid a fine and/or suspension from the NFL. The 24-year-old running back is scheduled to be a restricted free agent this offseason, and it sounds like the Browns still plan to keep him around. A second-round tender would cost approximately $3.3 million, while an original-round tender would be closer to $2.1 million, per OvertheCap.com. The second option would force the acquiring team to send a third-round pick to Cleveland as compensation for poaching Hunt, as the running back was selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. The Browns also have the right to match any offer sheet, assuming they use one of the RFA tenders.

Hunt was stopped for speeding Tuesday afternoon, with a subsequent search of his car revealing a small amount of marijuana, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Hunt was neither arrested nor cited for the marijuana, but that doesn't necessarily mean he'll escape discipline from the NFL. A spokesman for the Browns said the team is aware of the incident and is in the process of gathering more information, per Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram.

Hunt gained four yards on three carries and caught three of four targets for 32 yards in Sunday's 33-23 loss to the Bengals.

The 36 combined yards from scrimmage were a season low for Hunt, who finishes the season with 179 rushing yards, 37 receptions, 285 receiving yards and three touchdowns over eight games. For the Browns, he worked hard and appeared to have learned from his off-field mistakes that led to an eight-game suspension to start the 2019 season. The NFL rushing leader in 2017 was used more as a receiving threat, which worked out well at times for the team. Hunt and Nick Chubb were a potent two-back duo that presented challenges for opposing defenses. Hunt can become a restricted free agent in the coming offseason, but the Ohio native has expressed interest in staying close to home, per Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. With the Browns in the market for a new head coach -- Freddie Kitchens was fired after the Week 17 loss -- there's no guarantee Hunt will be in the team's plans for 2020.

Hunt carried three times for zero yards and caught four passes for 33 yards during Sunday's 31-15 loss to the Ravens.

Hunt did next to nothing on the ground, but he chipped in as a pass catcher yet again. Although he finished averaging just 8.3 yards per reception, he managed to place third on the team in receiving yards in what amounted to a tough day for the Browns offense. Hunt should have more success in next Sunday's season finale against a Cincinnati team that has been gashed by running backs all season.

Hunt rushed four times for 14 yards and caught eight of nine targets for 62 yards in Sunday's 38-24 loss to the Cardinals.

Hunt saw teammate Nick Chubb go for another 127 yards on the ground, but Hunt at least managed to make a significant impact through the air. In fact, he trailed only Odell Beckham in targets and tied for Cleveland's team high in receptions. Despite Chubb surging toward the league's rushing title, Hunt has now garnered double-digit touches in all six of his appearances this season, giving him decent value to close the campaign.

Hunt carried nine times for 28 yards and a touchdown Sunday against the Bengals. He also caught two passes for an additional 40 yards in the 27-19 win.

Hunt averaged just 3.1 yards per carry but was able to salvage his performance with a short touchdown run, giving him three scores in as many weeks. He also reached 40 receiving yards for the third time in five games and has recorded double-digit touches in every game with the Browns. Hunt will have the opportunity to continue his ascent next Sunday in a favorable matchup with the Cardinals.

Hunt caught all five of his targets for 19 yards and a touchdown and added 46 yards on seven carries during Sunday's 20-13 loss to the Steelers.

Hunt circled out of the backfield midway through the second quarter for a 15-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown, his second score in his last two games. Sunday was Hunt's best rushing day as a member of the Browns, but he's done most of his damage this season through the air, averaging five catches per game. He's tallied at least 45 total yards in all four of his games thus far and should continue that Sunday against a Bengals defense that came into this week surrendering 4.8 yards per carry, 29th in the league.

Hunt carried eight times for 37 yards and a touchdown Sunday against the Dolphins. He also caught two of three targets for nine yards in the 41-24 win.

Hunt fared well on the ground against a porous Miami defense, averaging 4.6 yards per carry while scoring a six-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter. He was rather quiet in the passing game, however, which limited the extent to which he exploited this favorable matchup. Still, Hunt received double-digit touches yet again and should have a useful role again next Sunday against the Steelers.

Hunt rushed six times for 12 yards and secured six of eight targets for 46 yards in the Browns' 21-7 win over the Steelers on Thursday.

Hunt was a distant second behind lead back Nick Chubb, who logged a season-high 27 carries. However, Hunt was a major part of the passing game for the second time in as many games since returning from his season-opening suspension, leading the Browns in receptions and checking in second only to Odell Beckham in receiving yardage. Head coach Freddie Kitchens appears set on sticking with Chubb as his clear-cut lead back for the moment, but Hunt should continue seeing his role in the offense expand with each successive game. His next opportunity to up his production will come in a favorable matchup against the Dolphins in Week 12, a week from Sunday.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin expects the Browns to expand their two-back packages with Hunt and Nick Chubb in Thursday's game, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

In his team debut in the Week 10 win over the Bills, Hunt played 54 percent of snaps, lining up as a halfback, in the slot, out wide and even as a fullback a couple times. That allowed Chubb to see 20 carries and two targets en route to playing 81 percent of the snaps, while Hunt earned four carries and nine targets. It's a safe bet both players stay involved in the offense in the Thursday night game, though Tomlin's expectation for increased use of two-back formations is less certain.

Hunt played 38 snaps (54 percent) in Sunday's win over Buffalo, lining up nearly a third of the time (12 snaps) as something other than halfback, Dan Labbe of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

The Browns showed a lot of two-back looks, but they also had Hunt out wide at times. The third-year back had the third-most targets with nine, behind only Odell Beckham (12) and Jarvis Landry (nine), in his season debut. How the Browns planned to incorporate Hunt into the existing offense after serving an eight-game suspension became clearer Sunday. It looks like he may be the de facto third wideout over the final two months of the season, ahead of Rashard Higgins and Antonio Callaway.

Hunt carried four times for 30 yards and caught seven of nine targets for an additional 44 yards during Sunday's 19-16 win over the Bills.

Making his season debut, Hunt took on the role of the Browns' top pass-catching back, finishing second on the team in receptions and third in receiving yardage. He also impressively averaged 7.5 yards per carry, though the sample size was limited with Nick Chubb carrying the load in that regard. It was quite encouraging to see Hunt so involved in his first game with the team, and he should continue to work in a similar role in Thursday's showdown with the Steelers.

Coach Freddie Kitchens said Hunt (suspension) "will definitely have a role" in Sunday's game against the Bills, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Hunt completed his eight-game suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy, and he's fully recovered from sports hernia surgery. He hasn't been lifted to the 53-man roster yet, but the official move will come before Sunday. In this past Sunday's loss to the Broncos, lead back Nick Chubb was taken off the field multiple times, but Dontrell Hilliard wasn't successful with just eight yards on five carries. The Browns hope Hunt can add another dimension to the backfield and form a one-two punch with Chubb. While Chubb is locked into the No. 1 role for the foreseeable future, it wouldn't be surprising if the Browns afforded Hunt a handful of touches right away. Hunt's potential is evident, as he racked up 1,202 yards from scrimmage and 14 total touchdowns over 11 games with the Chiefs last year.

Hunt completed his eight-game suspension and is expected to be reinstated to the Browns' 53-man roster ahead of Sunday's game against the Bills, The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

After making a full recovery from sports hernia surgery, Hunt already had resumed practicing with the Browns two weeks ago, signaling that the team planned to open up a spot on the roster for him once he was eligible to play. An official announcement on a roster move should arrive within the coming days, but coach Freddie Kitchens has yet to reveal what kind of role Hunt may fill behind lead back Nick Chubb in Week 10. Given his strong body of work in Kansas City, Hunt at least makes for a high-upside handcuff for Chubb's fantasy managers.

Hunt (suspension) practiced with the Browns on Monday for the first time since preseason, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Hunt was cleared by the NFL to rejoin the team, but he is not eligible to play until Week 10. While away from the team, he rehabbed a sports hernia injury and prepared himself for his return from an eight-game suspension. "Very pleased,'' said coach Freddie Kitchens about Hunt's presence at practice. "I thought he looked good. He looks like he is in good shape. He moved around good." Hunt shouldn't take too much playing time away from starter Nick Chubb, but he will allow head coach Freddie Kitchens to spell his number one back more often. Chubb has played nearly 77 percent of the offensive snaps, so Hunt can extend Chubb's quality time over a 60-minute/16-game stretch. Hunt, who has been split out wide as a receiver at times during his career, is a capable receiving threat. As such, he also can play alongside Chubb, leaving defenses wondering which back will be utilized on a given play.

Hunt (suspension) has been cleared to practice with the Browns.

Though Hunt will be permitted to practice with the team, he isn't eligible to return to game action until Week 10, when the Browns face the Bills. While away from the team, the running back recovered from sports hernia surgery, and it looks like he'll be ready to contribute once he rejoins the lineup. Given that Nick Chubb has handled the team's lead back duties well thus far, Hunt presumably will re-enter the mix in a complementary/change-of-pace role, a context that will cap his workload/productivity as long as Chubb remains healthy.