he Cleveland Browns have a tough decision to make regarding injured running back Nick Chubb and D’Andre Swift has been pitched as a potential replacement.
Chubb suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s required two offseason surgeries. The team expects him to return at some point next season but an exact timeline is currently unknown.
Chubb has no guaranteed money left on his contract but he’ll count nearly $16 million against the cap in a year where the Browns need to pinch pennies. His dead cap number if released is just $4 million.
Browns Running Game Misses Nick Chubb’s Consistency
The Browns’ ground game has missed Chubb’s consistent production and his ability to make something out of nothing at times.
It’s been a running back by-committee approach but Jerome Ford has been the lead back. He recorded 813 yards on 204 carries in the regular season. Kareem Hunt — who was re-signed shortly after Chubb’s injury — has been the short-yardage back. He has 411 yards and 9 touchdowns this season.
The Browns face the Texans on Saturday in a Wild Card matchup. The Browns had just 54 net rushing yards the first time around. Ford and Co. want to change that this time around.
“They had a really good front and the linebackers also played really well,” Ford said. “I think overall their scheme was really good and I don’t feel like us as running backs did enough on the ground as far as our athleticism and what we can possibly do.”
The Browns are a 2.5-point road favorite for the playoff matchup against the Texans.
