The Cleveland Browns do not have long to lick their wounds after the debacle that was their Week 6 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. The Browns fell apart in almost every phase of the game along with questionable (read: terrible) penalties being called against them.
Week 6 was marked by a number of significant players missing the game due to injury. Jedrick Wills and Jack Conklin were out, forcing the team’s offense to use backups at both tackle positions. Primary backup Chris Hubbard is likely out for the season, leaving Blake Hance and James Hudson III to step in.
Nick Chubb also missed the game, and his replacement, Kareem Hunt, left the field late with a calf injury.
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, both Chubb and Hunt are unlikely to play on Thursday night:
From @GMFB: #Browns QB Baker Mayfield is planning to play through his still-ailing left shoulder (labral tear), while Cleveland may be without its two top RBs — Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt — for Thursday night. pic.twitter.com/fQivshFSqo
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 18, 2021
If both Chubb and Hunt are out, Cleveland would be down to D’Ernest Johnson and Demetric Felton at the running back spot. John Kelly could be activated from the practice squad, and fullback Johnny Stanton could also take some handoffs.
If wide receiver Jarvis Landry is healthy enough to be activated from injured reserve, he could also see time in the backfield if needed.