Jerome

Ford

Chubb is eligible to return this week, but that isn’t expected to happen. With his 21-day window now opening, the Browns now have three weeks to either activate Chubb from the PUP list or keep him sidelined for the remainder of the season. His return, whenever that may be, will put a damper on Jerome Ford’s fantasy upside, but the third-year back could still be a factor in the passing game after hauling in 17 passes through the first four games of this season.

Ford only ceded four attempts to backup D’Onta Foreman and paced the Browns in receptions. With Deshaun Watson struggling to get his deep ball going, the Browns relied heavily on check-downs to Ford to keep the chains moving. That isn’t the sign of a healthy offense, but it is enough to keep Ford afloat as an RB3 in PPR leagues. Ford will look to get into the end zone for the first time since Week 1 in his upcoming matchup with the Commanders.

Ford missed Wednesday’s practice with the knee issue but worked his way up to a full session on Friday before being cleared from the injury report. He should see a full workload versus the Raiders with Pierre Strong ruled out. Ford ranks as a low-end RB2 for Week 4.

We don’t know the extent to which Ford will practice, but Friday will mark two straight practices for the Browns’ RB1 after he opened the week as a DNP. Ford is reportedly dealing with a minor knee issue, but at this point, it’d be surprising if he misses Week 4’s matchup against the Raiders. We’ll have the official word on his availability when the Browns release their final injury report later in the day.

It appears Wednesday’s DNP was more of a maintenance day for Ford, who popped up on the injury report with a knee injury. With no official injury to Ford reported in Sunday’s loss to the Giants, this is presumably a minor thing he is working through. We’d expect him to be good to go for Week 4 against the Raiders unless the team suggests otherwise.

This could be a minor issue Ford is working through after there were no reports of an injury during the Browns’ Week 3 loss to the Giants. We don’t read too much into this for the time being, but if Ford can’t log a limited session before the end of the week, then we could be looking at a heavy dose of D’Onta Foreman in Week 4 against the Raiders.

Ford’s usage through three games has been interesting to say the least. He dominated touches in Week 1, but was out-touched by D’Onta Foreman in Week 2, 15-8. The Browns only ran the ball 12 times against the Giants, but Ford had 10 carries to Foreman’s two. He was also the only running back targeted in the passing game. Ford continues to be a high-end RB3 heading into Week 4’s matchup at Las Vegas.

Strong suffered the hamstring injury in Week 2 and is now considered week-to-week. His absence will ensure a full workload for Jerome Ford. D’Onta Foreman will serve as Ford’s backup. As a massive favorite over the Giants, Ford ranks as a high-end RB3 for Week 3.

Strong has handled kick return duties for the Browns and some backfield pass catching work behind Jerome Ford. If he misses Week 3, Ford and D’Onta Foreman will split the backfield workload, with Ford as the clear top option.

Ford led the backfield in offensive snaps (32) and yards from scrimmage (64) but received only the second-most intended touches among Browns RBs and was not on-field for the Browns’ first offensive snap. Ford’s biggest play was a 36-yard rushing gain thanks to a sneaky setup from HC Kevin Stefanski. Backup QB Jameis Winston was subbed in for a successful short-distance QB sneak conversion early in the game. He was brought in again on fourth-and-inches but this time handed off to Ford, who picked up the explosive gain. Ford is a shaky flex option against the Giants in Week 3, playing in a potentially reduced role.