Jerome

Ford

Ford’s season ends with a rushing line of 104-565-3 and a receiving line of 37-225-0 on 43 targets. He averaged a career-best 5.4 YPC and would have been on to replicate his 2023 numbers before Nick Chubb returned in Week 7 and handled most of the team’s rush attempts until a foot injury he suffered in Week 15 ended his season. Ford is under contract through next season and could have a chance at another premiere role depending on how Chubb’s recovery goes and who else the Browns decide to bring in during the offseason.

Backup Pierre Strong remains sidelined with a concussion. That leaves just D’Onta Foreman to man the backfield if neither is able to practice on Friday. Foreman would be a volume-based RB3 if neither back plays in Week 18 versus the Ravens.

Kevin Stefanski had no update on Ford at his presser earlier today. The DNP should have fantasy managers scrambling for backup plans at the very least. D’Onta Foreman stands to be Cleveland’s No. 1 back if Ford cannot shake the ankle injury ahead of Week 18.

Ford suffered an apparent ankle sprain, possibly eversion, in the first half and initially struggled to put any weight on it. He was taken to the locker room and the broadcast later announced Ford’s impending return but it was only nominal. He tallied just one offensive snap in the second half. Ford was essentially a ghost in the second half. He looked great on a 19-yard run up the middle early on though. Fantasy managers should treat him as a shaky RB4 against the Ravens in Week 18.

Ford had a very difficult time getting off-field and up to the locker room after exiting in the first half. His ankle issue apparently responded positively to half-time treatment and his locker room examination evidently showed nothing overly concerning.

This might be an ankle injury. Ford appeared to have his foot pinned during a tackle, with his ankle rotating inward. The resulting pile of players made it difficult to see his ankle at the end of the play but an eversion mechanism is possible. Ford got up and attempted to hop off-field on one leg before falling to the ground. He was later seen limping toward the locker room with Browns trainers. Update: The broadcast later confirmed Ford suffered an ankle injury.

Ford started things with a bang when he ripped off a 66-yard run on the game’s first play. Unfortunately, a D’Onta Foreman fumble at the goal line a few plays later ended what proved to be the Browns’ best chance at a touchdown and sullied the drive, but Ford was solid in his return to the Browns’ RB1 role. He only managed 26 rushing yards on his other 10 carries, but Ford had a nice PPR scam going with Dorian Thompson-Robinson, finishing the day with the second most receptions and receiving yards on the team. Ford received 16 of the Browns’ 22 running back opportunities in this one and will be a fringe RB1/RB2 in next week’s game against the Dolphins.

The 2024 season is over for Chubb, who returned in late October from a horrific 2023 knee injury and struggled mightily to rediscover his previous form. Chubb managed 332 yards and three rushing scores over eight games, averaging a bleak 3.2 yards per carry. Chubb ranked 39th out of 50 qualifying RBs in Pro Football Focus’ elusive rating and was in the bottom-10 in rush yards over expected. He’ll spend another offseason recovering from a season-ending injury. Chubb, who will be 29 in two weeks, will be an unrestricted free agent this spring and should get interest from teams looking to make the veteran a part of a timeshare backfield.

Ford’s first 100-yard performance of the entire season came as Nick Chubb departed with a third quarter foot injury. Chubb’s issue has since been revealed as a fracture, making Ford the RB1 for the season’s final three weeks. 62 of his yards this afternoon came on a third quarter house call where he cut back outside and found the edge sealed by strong blocking. With Chubb down, D’Onta Foreman will return from the healthy scratch list, but Ford will be firmly in the RB2 mix against the Bengals. That’s if Cleveland sticks with Jameis Winston under center. Dorian Thompson-Robinson would threaten to make the Browns’ offense non-functional.

“I can’t tell you how much I respect him as a person,” Stefanski said, “really really disappointed about this injury.” Jerome Ford took over and scored a 62-yard TD quickly after Chubb departed. He’ll be leading the backfield going forward and it seems inevitable that Chubb will be placed on injured reserve with only three weeks remaining in the season. Chubb started eight games and finished with 102 carries for 332 yards and three scores while remaining a non-factor in the passing game. Chubb will be a free agent in 2025 and is no lock to be back with the Browns.