Kareem Hunt could see action for Browns Sunday
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.(Ed. note: This story has been updated with quotes from Kareem Hunt.)
Familiarity with the offense and the ability to get up to speed quicker than another back new to the system is what led to a reunion with Kareem Hunt, who officially rejoined the Browns on Wednesday.
“It's a familiarity that Kareem has with our offense. It's also our familiarity with Kareem and his ability and the run types, the pass types that he excels at,” coach Kevin Stefanski said. “So I think both things in this instance help us.”
That familiarity existed before, of course, but the Browns kept rejecting the idea of bringing back Hunt. When the Browns sought help after Jerome Ford suffered a four-week hamstring injury, they signed Jordan Wilkins. When Wilkins fumbled away his roster spot, the they traded for Pierre Strong.
So why is Hunt the right fit now?
“Obviously, Nick Chubb being unavailable factored into this decision, and Kareem knows that,” Stefanski said. “And Kareem feels as sick about Nick's injury as anybody, but this is the situation that we're in, the circumstances. So I think Kareem is excited about the opportunity.”
Kareem Hunt is happy to be back with his hometown Browns.
"I just love the game of football. I knew I was going to play this year. I could have taken some other deals, which I guess would have let me play football, but other than that, I just stayed patient what was right for me and my family and just put it in God's hands, and honestly, it worked out. Back at home.”
Chubb formally was placed on injured reserve as he faces surgery on his badly damaged left knee – the same one that suffered three torn ligaments in 2015 his sophomore season at Georgia. Chubb recovered in time to start his junior season on time in 2016.Chubb and Hunt were best friends the four years they were teammates.
“That one hurt, seeing that,” Hunt said. “I watched it live and I hate seeing that happen to one of my brothers and a guy that I care so much about and would go to war for any time of the day. And it's the circumstances, I guess God just had a plan to help guide me back here."
Hunt, 28, returns to the Browns after not finding a new home in free agency. He said he was waiting patiently for the right situation and rejected some offers from other teams. The Browns allowed him to walk after his worst year in four seasons with the Browns – a 3.8-yard rushing average and four touchdowns (three rushing).
Stefanski confirmed he observed Hunt’s workout at the facility on Tuesday and reported, “He looked in good shape. As you guys know, there's football shape and there's working out to stay ready shape. So I'm sure he's going to come along this week and we'll see where he is. But he looks to be in good shape.”
Stefanski affirmed that Ford would take over for Chubb as the starting running back after his 106-yard rushing game (6.6 average) against the Steelers. But Stefanski indicated Hunt won’t exactly be a bench-warmer.
“Jerome is the lead back, but we have to work through all of those type of things,” he said. “And what Kareem's ready to do this week you know, if he's ready to go this week and what type of load he can carry and Pierre Strong. So I think we need to work through all of that. But, yes, Jerome is the starter.”Hunt said he’s looking forward to pairing up with Ford.
"I think it's great,” he said. “Jerome's very young. He's talented, got a lot of speed and he's made a big jump. He's just growing and getting better. So I'm excited to see us paired together, how we can wear down defenses and break runs.”
Stefanski said “there’s a chance” Hunt could be active for some role Sunday against Tennessee “but we have to see how this week plays out.”
Brownie bits
The Browns had a walk-through instead of a regular practice on Wednesday. But if they would have practiced, the team reported the following players would have been held out: Receiver Amari Cooper (shoulder, groin), cornerback Greg Newsome (elbow), defensive end Za’Darius Smith (ankle, thigh).
