Pierre

Strong

With the Browns trying to keep some tread on Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt’s tires heading into the Wild Card Round, Strong saw a new season-high for carries. That obviously won’t carry over for the playoffs, but both Ford and Hunt have seemed to be running on fumes of late. Strong could be needed at some point in January.

Fellow reserve receiver David Bell is questionable. The pair of injuries ensure that Cedric Tillman will be on the field for the bulk of Cleveland’s plays for Week 10. The rookie hasn’t done much this year, but an elevated role gives him a pulse in dynasty leagues. Pierre Strong is also listed as questionable.

Strong will undoubtedly be listed as “limited,” but it puts him on track to serve as a “breather back” behind the 1A/1B duo of Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt. Strong has no standalone fantasy value.

Strong only played five snaps on Sunday, possibly because of the hamstring issue. Jerome Ford was also off the injury report heading into the weekend, allowing the Browns to give him more work. Strong’s injury, even if it doesn’t cause him to miss time, should narrow Cleveland to a two-man backfield.

Strong “added” a -7 yard reception. With Jerome Ford (ankle) off the injury report, Strong notched just four handles to Ford and Kareem Hunt’s combined 39. At least for now, the Browns’ three-man committee has been ditched heading into a tough Week 10 date against the Ravens.

All three primary running backs saw 10 or more opportunities for the Browns, with Strong sharing lead duties with Kareem Hunt in the first half before largely disappearing in the second frame. This is a difficult backfield to get a read on moving forward now that three backs are sharing the load.

Despite suffering a “low grade, high ankle” injury in Week 7, Ford has made a quick turnaround and at least has a shot at suiting up today. He returned to practice on Friday before being listed as questionable. On the other hand, the Browns elevated running back Jordan Wilkins from the practice squad yesterday and no time missed for a high-ankle sprain would be an incredible outlier. Our bet is still that Ford misses a week, but his name will be one of the biggest to watch when the Browns release their inactives 90 minutes before kickoff.

This is most notable for what it insinuates regarding the expected game-day status of lead back Jerome Ford, who is listed as questionable for Sunday. Kareem Hunt would seemingly be in line to draw the start should Ford be unable to go against the Seahawks, although Pierre Strong is also on hand for early down work.

Hunt will undoubtedly be slapped with a “limited” tag, but it keeps him on track to serve as the Browns’ 1A with Jerome Ford (high-ankle sprain) on the shelf. Even with all 32 teams active for Week 8, Hunt deserves a top-24 ranking. This is going to be a run-based offense with Deshaun Watson (shoulder) peacing out once again. Pierre Strong should get enough handles to serve as a desperation FLEX behind Hunt.

Ford was spotted in a boot after the game and has been diagnosed with a low-ankle sprain that will likely keep him out against the Seahawks this week. After he left the game, Strong saw 63 percent of the running back snaps with Karrem Hunt getting 34 percent, and Strong had eight rushes to five for Hunt. It should be noted that Hunt came into this came injured as well, so the Browns may have wanted to be cautious with him, but the team may also like him in that complementary role. Considering Ford could be out for one or two games, Strong looks like a solid short-term add on waiver wires.