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Will Jerome Ford start for the Cleveland Browns when he returns? John Johnson breaks down the Jerome Ford return timeline and fantasy football outlook.
Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford (hamstring) will miss his second week in a row due to a hamstring ailment. He wasn't quite the fantasy asset he was in 2023, when he filled in for injured running back Nick Chubb after he went down with a season-ending knee injury.
Ford was seen as a great value in many fantasy drafts, but has delivered just two games of more than 10 PPR fantasy points.
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Will Jerome Ford Start For The Browns When He Returns?
There's just no chance as long as Chubb remains healthy. No. 24 is one of the best running backs the NFL has ever seen, and even recovering from a devastating knee injury, he's the priority for touches in that backfield. Even when Ford was the lead back, he didn't get impressive volume.
who was able to pick up jerome ford?! 🙋♂️ pic.twitter.com/4E4sJbsbVR
— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) September 24, 2023
It's an unfortunate far cry from 2023, when he finished as the RB16 overall in full-PPR scoring. It's not for lack of talent, either -- he averages just under 5.3 yards per carry on the season. He's been efficient, but just hasn't gotten the touches necessary to produce for fantasy managers.
It's unclear why he's had a diminished role this season. He's not logged a game with more than 12 carries, and has had games with high reception totals, but has scored just one touchdown. It doesn't help that the entire Browns offense has been abysmal with Deshaun Watson (Achilles) under center, though he's now out for the season.
Jerome Ford Fantasy Football Outlook
He's just a handcuff to No. 24 now. The lead back has been a workhorse through most of his career, and Ford will continue to miss time during Chubb's ramp-up in activity. It's possible that when No. 34 returns, the possible future Hall of Famer will be back to his old workload.
#DawgPound Loves Nick Chubb!!! pic.twitter.com/zs2IerilLC
— BrownsTherapy (@BrownsTherapy) October 23, 2024
Cleveland has made him the workhorse for many seasons now because he's always just been that much better than his competition. That's unlikely to change. Even if he returns to just 75% of what he was in 2022 this season, he'll be the clear best RB on the roster. The offense is better off with the ball in his hands.
Ford's return timeline is unclear. He did return to practice last week, so a Week 9 return isn't off the table. Fantasy managers will need to check back closer to next Sunday for more updates.
#Browns RB Jerome Ford (hamstring) practicing for the first time this week: pic.twitter.com/JnJgxmPFuQ
— Ashley Bastock (@AshleyBastock42) October 25, 2024
Despite that, Chubb is the man in Cleveland. Nothing else needs to be said.
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