The Browns ended their week of practice Friday with news that Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb will not be available Sunday against the Cardinals due to a calf injury.
Luckily, they have another Pro Bowl running back in their room who's capable of handling a full workload.
Kareem Hunt, who leads all Browns players with five touchdowns, is set to take the role of lead running back as Cleveland looks to hand Arizona its first loss of the season. Hunt, a five-year veteran, said Friday he'll miss his teammate and close friend but has full confidence he'll be able to keep the Browns' rushing attack strong — it currently leads the league in nearly every major rushing category.
"You never want to see a guy like Nick go down," Hunt said. "What he means to this team is crazy. We've got a lot of good backs in this RB room, so I feel like we should be able to hold it down until he gets back."
Check out exclusive photos of the Browns preparing for their game against the Arizona Cardinals
Running back Demetric Felton (25) during practice on October 13, 2021.
Safety Ronnie Harrison (33) during practice on October 13, 2021.
Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) during practice on October 13, 2021.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (20) during practice on October 13, 2021.
Safety John Johnson III (43) during practice on October 13, 2021.
Safety Grant Delpit (22) during practice on October 13, 2021.
Offensive guard Tristen Hoge (69) during practice on October 13, 2021.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice on October 13, 2021.
Offensive Guard Blake Hance (62) and Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during practice on October 13, 2021.
Linebacker Mack Wilson (51) during practice on October 13, 2021.
A helmet decal during practice on October 13, 2021.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski and General Manager Andrew Berry during practice on October 13, 2021.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during practice on October 13, 2021.
Offensive guard David Moore (60) during practice on October 13, 2021.
Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) during practice on October 13, 2021.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski and Quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during practice on October 13, 2021.
Defensive tackle Malik McDowell (58) during practice on October 13, 2021.
The team during practice on October 13, 2021.
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) during practice on October 13, 2021.
Wide receiver Anthony Schwartz (10) during practice on October 13, 2021.
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) during practice on October 13, 2021.
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) during practice on October 13, 2021.
Fullback Johnny Stanton (40) during practice on October 13, 2021.
Tight end Austin Hooper (81) during practice on October 13, 2021.
Tight end Miller Forristall (86) during practice on October 13, 2021.
Linebacker Tony Fields II (42) during practice on October 13, 2021.
Tight end Harrison Bryant (88) during practice on October 13, 2021.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (28) during practice on October 13, 2021.
Linebacker Anthony Walker (4) during practice on October 13, 2021.
Linebacker Tony Fields II (42) during practice on October 13, 2021.
Linebacker Mack Wilson (51) during practice on October 13, 2021.
Tight End Coach Drew Petzing and tight end Harrison Bryant (88) during practice on October 13, 2021.
Coach Kevin Stefanski said Chubb suffered his injury near the end of the Browns' Week 5 game in Los Angeles and couldn't offer any timeline beyond Sunday for when Chubb could return.
He did, however, express faith in Hunt to ensure there's no drop-off in rushing totals. He's contributed 295 of the Browns' 938 rushing yards and has averaged 5.4 yards per carry, which is seventh in the league (minimum 6.25 rushes per game).
"Anytime you're without a player of Nick's caliber, guys have to step up," Stefanski said. "It's never one person who replaces Nick Chubb. Obviously, we feel really strong about Kareem and what he is capable of, but guys have to step up."
Hunt is confident he'll be able to carry the load despite battling injuries himself. He practiced for the first time this week Friday after sitting out Wednesday and Thursday with wrist and knee injuries. He's listed as questionable for Sunday's game.
"I felt pretty good," Hunt said, "so we're going to see how it goes Sunday and make it happen. I'm feeling good enough."
In addition to Hunt, the Browns likely will lean more on three-year veteran D'Ernest Johnson and sixth-round rookie Demetric Felton.
All three backs will be tasked to make plays against a Cardinals defense that has struggled to contain the run but has still held opponents off the scoreboard. Arizona ranks 28th in the league against the run but is sixth in points allowed and 12th in total defense. J.J. Watt and Chandler Jones highlight a few of the big men the Cardinals have up front, though Jones' status for Sunday is up in the air due to a positive COVID-19 test. He's second in the NFL with five sacks, all of which were recorded in Week 1.
"They've got a bunch of guys who can make plays over there," Hunt said. "We're going to be looking for a challenge."
