Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt is dealing with several health issues entering Week 15. He wasn’t able to practice this week due to an ankle injury. He was then added to the COVID list later in the week, giving him multiple obstacles to playing on Monday. The NFL moved the Browns game this week, but did it add enough time for Hunt to be able to play?
Update 12/20/21: The Cleveland Browns did not activate Kareem Hunt off of the reserve/COVID list. He will not play today against the Raiders.
Kareem Hunt’s 2021 production
Hunt has dealt with injuries throughout the 2021 season, and he’s played in only eight games thus far. Overall, he has played in 44% of Cleveland’s snaps. Even when healthy, he has been on the field for 50% or more of the snaps in only two of his eight games.
However, Hunt has performed well when on the field. He recorded 386 yards and 5 touchdowns on only 78 carries. Additionally, the veteran back added 22 receptions for 174 yards on 27 targets. In the two games that Hunt played at least 50% of the snaps, he totaled 164 yards and 1 touchdown on 33 touches.
Is Hunt playing today?
Hunt wasn’t able to practice early in the week because of an ankle injury. Although it isn’t necessarily seen as a major injury, it had led to him being ruled out when Cleveland’s game was originally scheduled for Saturday.
Since then, the Browns added Hunt to the COVID list, which has been the case for several Cleveland players. He hasn’t cleared protocols at this point, meaning he won’t be able to play regardless.
Even if he were to clear the protocols, Hunt’s ankle would keep him out of the game this week.
This is a situation where several factors are keeping Hunt from playing. He’s already been ruled out, and the extra days from the NFL’s rescheduling won’t help him suit up this week.
Who benefits from his absence?
Nick Chubb, who is one of the best running backs in the NFL in his own right, will take over a workhorse role for Cleveland this weekend. He generally splits snaps with Hunt, as the latter works in more on passing downs. Chubb has the potential to play a bell-cow role, although he will lose some snaps to other running backs.
D’Ernest Johnson will step up as the second option in the Browns’ rushing attack. He isn’t likely to see a major workload with Chubb healthy, although he’s consistently played 30% or more snaps when Hunt is out of the lineup. Johnson will likely see fewer than 10 touches in this game, though. Demetric Felton could also play a small role, specifically as a receiving option.