Cleveland Browns' Kevin Stefanski 'Excited' About Jerome Ford After Breakout Season
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Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford has earned the confidence of coach Kevin Stefanski as the team awaits Nick Chubb's return to action after suffering a gruesome knee injury last season.
Given that Chubb is recovering from a knee injury that requires multiple surgeries, his return timetable is uncertain. Until further notice, the Browns will turn to Ford as the face of their rushing attack.
"Jerome has done a nice job," Stefanski said of Ford recently. "He had some really, really, really big moments for our football team [last year]. He made big plays for us when we needed it. We're excited about that."
Dec 28, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford (34) runs the ball during the second half against the New York Jets at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Having to fill in for Chubb, who many regard as one of the top running backs in the league, isn't anything new for Ford. The former Cincinnati product had to do it last season following the injury that saw Ford step into the shoes of the 28-year-old, who had become the Browns' lead back with five straight seasons of 1,000 yards or more rushing.
In Chubb's absence last season, Ford made it look like a seamless transition from one back to another. He rushed for 813 yards and four touchdowns on 204 carries. It was a true breakout campaign for the former fifth-round pick, whose rookie season saw him total just 12 yards on eight carries.
Ford enters his third season with an opportunity to establish himself as not only an RB1-caliber player. But potentially one half of a two-headed monster at running back alongside a healthy Chubb for the Browns.
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