CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The news that Nick Chubb was placed on injured reserve would typically be devastating and derail the Browns.
Not this year.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski didn’t flinch after Chubb sprained his MCL Sunday in Arlington.
The Browns racked up up 264 yards on the ground without Chubb in a 49-38 win over the Cowboys that saw three players rush for over 70 yards in the same game for the first time in franchise history.
“I am confident in our entire running back room,” Stefanski said Wednesday. “I fully understand the caliber player that Nick is and we would love to have Nick out there.
“We will have to make do until Nick gets back.”
Chubb will reportedly return after six weeks.
“Very tough to lose a guy like Nick, a brother, a great teammate and a great player,” running back Kareem Hunt said. “Right now, we have to move next man up, and the other running backs, we all have to carry the load until we can get him back.”
Hunt is expected, and ready, to assume the bulk of Chubb’s workload.
“I believe I can take on the workload, but honestly, it is not bad because I trust in those other guys, too, Dontrell and D’Ernest Johnson,” Hunt said. “If I have ever need a break, I know they will come in and do a great job.”
Hunt continues to play through a groin injury and feels he’s ready to go once again this week against the Colts, who boast one of the top defenses in the NFL.
After Chubb went down, it wasn’t Hunt, who did score twice against Dallas, that led the Browns in rushing in the 49-38 win over the Cowboys.
It was Johnson.
“We take a lot of pride in running the ball,” Johnson, who had 95 yards on 13 carries in the win, said. “When your opportunities come, you have to make the best of it, and I think that is what we all did. Each back, me, Dontrell, Kareem and Nick, every time we have an opportunity, we try to make the best of it.”
Chubb is known for not saying much. He does his talking on the field, leading by example.
Hunt takes a different approach.
“Kareem was already a very vocal guy,” quarterback Baker Mayfield said. “It is just him and Nick are very opposite in that way. So, it is a very thunder and lightning approach. I see Kareem being more vocal as this goes on but that is nothing new to him. He is not changing. He is not going to overcompensate and try and do too much, and he understands that.
“He is a great teammate. He is just going to be himself and that is somebody that brings energy every day, talks his trash but backs it up, and we are happy to have him.”
Hunt has made the most of his second chance with the Browns, who signed him five months after he was released by Kansas City at the end of November 2018. The 2017 NFL rushing champion and Cleveland native was let go by the Chiefs after a disturbing video that showed him shoving and kicking a woman outside a downtown Cleveland apartment earlier that year was published by TMZ.
Since joining the Browns Hunt has repaired his soiled reputation outside of a minor traffic stop in January.
After rededicating himself this offseason during the pandemic, the Browns showed their faith in him by giving him a two-year $13.25 million contract extension that included $8.5 million guaranteed.
“I am willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win,” Hunt said.
The Browns have benefitted from the addition of Hunt too. They are 5-1 in games he scores a touchdown and are off to their best start in 19 years at 3-1.
Cleveland will face a much different defense this week when the Colts trot into town.
Indianapolis is ranked No. 1 defensively in points allowed, yards allowed, run defense, and pass defense.
“That is the fun part in this business,” Stefanski said. “We totally understand what it is at stake. We totally understand the team that we are getting ready to face here on Sunday because you just turn on the tape and it is so obviously why they are good. They fly around and they are physical.”
