The Cleveland Browns are one of the run-heaviest teams in the NFL, but they’ve been without their full complement of running backs for several weeks. Kareem Hunt was placed on injured reserve after exiting Week 6 with a calf injury. With the Browns pushing for a postseason berth in the AFC, what is Hunt’s timeline for return?
Update: Kareem Hunt was designated to return to practice on Wednesday, November 24.
Kareem Hunt could miss several more weeks
Facing the Cardinals in Week 6, Hunt suffered a calf injury on a non-contact play and was immediately ruled out for the remainder of the contest. Following an MRI, the Browns placed Hunt on IR, meaning he would be required to miss at least three games before returning to the active roster.
While it was unclear exactly how long Hunt would be sidelined, head coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday (Nov. 17) that Hunt will not return to practice this week before the Browns’ Week 11 game at FirstEnergy Stadium.
After facing Baltimore in Week 12, the Browns have a bye before facing the Ravens again in Week 14. Therefore, it seems likely Cleveland will hold Hunt out through its bye week in order to make sure he’s fully healthy. Indeed, Kimberley Martin of ESPN recently reported that Hunt himself doesn’t believe he’ll return to action “until around December.”
Hunt will not play in Week 11
When speaking to reporters this week, Stefanski told reporters that Hunt is making progress in his recovery from a calf injury, but that he is not going to be ready to play this week.
What will the Browns do at RB?
Luckily, the Browns are set to withstand an extended Hunt absence. In Week 10, leading Cleveland rusher Nick Chubb — who has missed time of his own already this year — tested positive for COVID-19.
With Chubb and Hunt both out, D’Ernest Johnson took control of the backfield with 19 carried for 99 yards. He added 7 receptions for an additional 58 yards. It is still unclear if Chubb will return this week, so the backfield could once again belong to Johnson.