Despite his big 7.2 yards per carry average, Ford failed to get double-digit carries for only the third time this season as the Browns struggled to control the ball with rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson (concussion) and then PJ Walker under center. Ford remains the team's top backfield option over Kareem Hunt (seven touches for 22 yards Sunday), and he's topped 70 scrimmage yards in three of the last four games despite the turmoil around him in the offense. Regardless of who's at quarterback, Ford should see a significant role in Week 13 against the Rams.
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ACTIVELatest Jerome Ford news
Rushing
Receiving
| Year | Team | GP | REC | TGTS | YDS | AVG | TDS | LNG | YAC | YDS/G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | CLE | 11 | 27 | 41 | 163 | 6 | 2 | 19 | 155 | 15 |
Despite his big 7.2 yards per carry average, Ford failed to get double-digit carries for only the third time this season as the Browns struggled to control the ball with rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson (concussion) and then PJ Walker under center. Ford remains the team's top backfield option over Kareem Hunt (seven touches for 22 yards Sunday), and he's topped 70 scrimmage yards in three of the last four games despite the turmoil around him in the offense. Regardless of who's at quarterback, Ford should see a significant role in Week 13 against the Rams.
Cleveland's Week 12 gameplan shouldn't change much from last week -- ride the combination of Ford and Kareem Hunt while making short, manageable throws from rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. What makes the plan enticing is the Broncos' last-in-the-league run defense, which has allowed 160 yards per game. That average is partially skewed by a Week 3 loss to Miami (350 rushing yards), but even on its current four-game win streak, Denver has given up 5.3 yards per carry. Ford, who is now five weeks removed from a high-ankle sprain, could see a heavy workload in Denver.
In a change from prior weeks, Ford split work out of the Cleveland backfield exactly evenly with Kareem Hunt. Neither put up an impressive line, but Ford did cash in a one-yard score to record the Browns' only touchdown of the day. While that saved his performance in Week 11, he may have difficulty finding success with Dorian Thompson-Robinson under center, as opposing defenses may be willing to crowd the line of scrimmage. Big numbers may be particularly hard to come by if Ford continues to evenly split work with Hunt.
Ford outpaced backfield mate Kareem Hunt by six carries, and neither back was able to find much success save for Hunt's short touchdown run against what had been a fairly porous Cardinals run defense. However, Ford was able to partly make up for the inefficient day on the ground with impressive volume as a receiver, and his hefty workload dispelled any concerns about the condition of his previously gimpy ankle. Ford is likely to remain the de facto lead back in a Week 10 road divisional showdown against the Ravens.
After missing practice Wednesday and Thursday, Ford was a limited participant in Friday's session, which set the stage for the Browns to list him as questionable for Sunday's contest. With his Week 8 active status confirmed, Ford is slated to work through an ankle issue that initial reports suggested could lead to the running back missing a week or two. With that in mind, it remains to be seen how close to a full workload Ford will be up for versus Seattle and if he's limited at all or suffers any setbacks, Kareem Hunt would presumably be next up for added touches, with Pierre Strong also available to mix in.
Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Ford "surprised" the Browns with how well he ran Thursday, and with the running back having tested his ankle out during Friday's practice, he now has a chance to play this weekend. Look for added context with regard to Ford's status to arrive prior to Sunday's 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff. If Ford ends up on the inactive list or is available to play in only a limited capacity, added backfield reps would be available for Kareem Hunt (thigh) and Pierre Strong.
The Browns haven't officially ruled Ford out for Sunday's game against the Seahawks, but with two straight absences from practice to begin Week 8 prep, the running back looks all but guaranteed to sit out this weekend. On a positive note, the Browns remain optimistic that Ford's right high-ankle sprain will keep him out for just 1-to-2 weeks, putting him on track to avoid a stint on injured reserve, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. According to Petrak, Kareem Hunt is scheduled to practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday's session due to a lingering thigh injury, so he'll presumably be in line to lead the backfield in Seattle while Pierre Strong works in a complementary role.
The right high-ankle sprain Ford suffered in Sunday's 39-38 win over the Colts isn't considered severe, so Cleveland is hopeful he'll avoid a stint on injured reserve, which would keep him out for a minimum of four games. Ford is still in line to miss at least the Browns' Week 8 game in Seattle, leaving Kareem Hunt (thigh) and Pierre Strong as the likely leaders of Cleveland's backfield.
Kareem Hunt (thigh) will also sit out Wednesday's session, and with Nick Chubb (knee) done for the season and Jake Trotter of ESPN.com having already reported that Ford is expected to miss 1-to-2 weeks, it's not surprising that the Browns signed Nate McCrary and Jordan Wilkins to the practice squad this week to add healthy bodies to a depleted running back room. For now, Pierre Strong profiles as the healthiest back on Cleveland's roster, though Hunt would likely serve as the Browns' lead option Sunday in Seattle if he can overcome his own thigh injury.
Team
Cleveland Browns
Birthdate
9/12/1999 (24)
Status
Active
HT/WT
5'10", 210 lbs
Draft Info
2022: Rd 5; Pk 156 (CLE)
Birthplace
Tampa, FL, USA
Position
RB
College
Cincinnati
Experience
2nd season
Career History
Cleveland Browns
2022 - Present
(2 seasons)
Previous Game
12
Final
29
65
YDS
7
AVG
0
TD
2023 Season Stats
ATT
RUSH YDS
RUSH TDS
REC
REC TDS
145
628
3
27
2
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Recent Games
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rushing
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receiving
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Date
|
Opp
|
Result
|
CAR
|
YDS
|
AVG
|
TD
|
LNG
|
FD
|
REC
|
TGTS
|
YDS
|
AVG
|
TDS
|
LNG
|
YAC
|
|
11/26
|
L 12-29
|
9
|
65
|
7.2
|
0
|
19
|
1
|
4
|
7
|
14
|
3.5
|
0
|
11
|
21
|
|
|
11/19
|
W 13-10
|
12
|
31
|
2.6
|
1
|
13
|
3
|
2
|
5
|
8
|
4
|
0
|
5
|
13
|
|
|
11/12
|
W 33-31
|
17
|
107
|
6.3
|
0
|
28
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
2
|
2
|
|
|
11/5
|
W 27-0
|
20
|
44
|
2.2
|
0
|
9
|
2
|
5
|
7
|
33
|
6.6
|
0
|
17
|
44
|
|
|
10/29
|
L 20-24
|
9
|
37
|
4.1
|
0
|
12
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
2
|
4
|
|
