Dylan Buell/Getty Images
The Cleveland Browns announced Friday
they’ve activated Nick Chubb and Demetric Felton from the NFL’s
reserve/COVID-19 list.
Both running backs sat out last week’s
45-7 loss to the New England Patriots but will be eligible to play in
Sunday’s Week 11 game against the Detroit Lions.
Chubb ranks third in the NFL with 721
rushing yards despite missing three of the Browns’ 10 games. He
previously missed two contests with a calf injury.
The two-time Pro Bowl selection is tied
with Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson for the league lead
in rushing yards per attempt (6.0) among qualified rushers, and he’s
found the end zone six times in his seven appearances.
Cleveland offensive coordinator Alex
Van Pelt suggested Thursday the team might cap Chubb’s workload when
he initially returned from the reserve/COVID-19 list.
“Guys come off the COVID list and
play all the time across the league, so if he’s available, I’m sure
we’ll be very smart with how we handle his carries,” Van Pelt
told reporters. “But he’s obviously a big part of what we do
offensively.”
That could lead to more playing time
for Felton and D’Ernest Johnson as part of a committee approach.
Johnson handled 88 percent of the
offensive snaps against the Patriots and performed well despite the
blowout loss, tallying 99 yards on 19 carries (5.2 YPC) and seven
catches for 58 yards.
“D’Ernest—maybe I sound like a
broken record—every time he’s out there, he comes through for
us,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “I think that is an
indication of the type of teammate he is because he prepares so hard.
Whether you want him to play 30 snaps on special teams or carry the
ball 30 times, he is going to be ready to go.”
Meanwhile, quarterback Baker Mayfield
could be trending toward a questionable tag for Sunday’s clash with
the Lions as he works to overcome shoulder, foot and knee injuries.
He missed practice Wednesday before returning for a limited session
Thursday.
“This is probably the most beat-up
I’ve ever been in my career,” Mayfield said. “It’s not like it’s
one particular thing. It’s multiple.”
Although so far there’s no indication he’s
going to sit out against Detroit, the team’s offense would become
even more run-heavy if that happens. Case Keenum is the team’s backup
quarterback.
Beating the Lions (0-8-1) is crucial
for Cleveland (5-5), which faces a tricky schedule down the stretch
in its effort to either win the AFC North or earn a wild-card berth
for the playoffs.
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