Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (hernia) recently had sports-hernia surgery to fix a ruptured adductor, according to sources. Hunt played in 15 games in his fifth year with the Browns in 2023, but he was listed on the injury report often with a groin injury and averaged a career-low 3.0 yards per carry on 135 attempts for 411 rushing yards and a career-high nine rushing TDs in the regular season. He added a career-low 15 receptions for 84 yards through the air. The 28-year-old's lower numbers now make more sense, but he still had plenty of fantasy appeal as a flex play because of his red-zone usage and nose for the end zone. Hunt could be more effective with better health in 2024, but he's also scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent. His fantasy appeal will depend on where he lands, and there's a good chance it won't be in Cleveland.
Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt remains interested in re-signing with the team during the upcoming offseason, he told Jake Trotter of ESPN. The veteran "loves the organization" but does intend to consider other opportunities outside of Cleveland this offseason, too. Hunt joined the Browns prior to Week 3 in an effort to bolster the backfield after Nick Chubb (knee) tore his ACL. Although Jerome Ford was the team's lead running back, Hunt led the way with nine rushing touchdowns. He also contributed 411 rushing yards and 84 receiving yards. Even if he re-signs with Cleveland, the veteran will likely be buried in a depth role behind Chubb and Ford.
Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt carried the ball eight times for 26 yards and a touchdown while adding five catches for nine yards and a second touchdown in a 45-14 loss to the Houston Texans in the first round of the playoffs on Saturday. Hunt provided the only offense for the Browns in the lopsided loss as he scored both of his touchdowns in the first half on Saturday afternoon. Hunt was signed by Cleveland after Nick Chubb's season-ending knee injury in Week 2 and is slated to become an unrestricted free-agent yet again this offseason. It remains to be seen whether the Browns show interest in bringing him back as it would likely depend on how Chubb is progressing in his rehab this offseason.
Kareem Hunt A Touchdown-Or-Bust Option In Wild-Card Round
Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (groin) missed practice to start the week but was upgraded to a limited session on Wednesday and practiced fully on Thursday as he gears up to face off against the Houston Texans in the first round of the NFL playoffs on Saturday. Hunt is listed without an injury designation heading into Saturday and should be fresh after seeing just one touch in a Week 18 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. The Texans represent a tough matchup for Hunt as they allowed just the 19th-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs in the regular season. Hunt has been very touchdown-dependent as a fantasy asset this season and will need to find the end zone again this weekend to return value in DFS contests. He's on the radar as a low-end RB2 for weekend slates.
Cleveland Browns running backs Pierre Strong Jr. (back) and Kareem Hunt (groin) were both listed as limited at the team's practice on Wednesday. Both players were non-participants on Tuesday's report, but they both returned on Wednesday. Strong, who has been an infrequently used No. 3 RB for the Browns, could be questionable to suit up for Saturday's wild-card playoff game against the Houston Texans. Hunt, meanwhile, has been managing a groin injury in recent weeks but hasn't missed any time, so he should be available for wild-card weekend. The 28-year-old has been a change-of-pace option for Cleveland next to Jerome Ford this year after Nick Chubb (knee) suffered a season-ending knee injury early in the year. Hunt will be a low-cost, low-upside, touchdown-dependent DFS play against the Texans.
Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (groin) is not participating in practice on Tuesday leading up to the postseason matchup with the Houston Texans due to a groin injury. The 28-year-old has been listed with a groin injury for several weeks and has often missed practice, so it's not a concerning development as of now. Hunt has compiled 411 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns, 15 receptions, and 84 receiving yards in 15 games this season while sharing a backfield with Jerome Ford. As a part-time back, he's not a favorable fantasy playoff league target, but he could be a sleeper pick in DFS contests. That said, Houston is just a neutral matchup for fantasy running backs.
Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt caught his lone target for a five-yard gain in a 31-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 18. Hunt and Jerome Ford were both very lightly used as the Browns opted to rest several key players ahead of their Wild Card showdown against the Houston Texans next week. Hunt will return to his goal-line and short-yardage role for that matchup next weekend, making him a touchdown-or-bust option in playoff leagues and DFS contests.
Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (groin) missed practice on Wednesday but was upgraded to a full session by Friday and is listed without an injury designation heading into a Week 18 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Whether Hunt actually plays on Sunday against the Bengals remains to be seen as the Browns already have the No. 5 seed in the AFC locked up and don't have much motivation to put their key players in harm's way. Although they haven't officially announced it, both Hunt and Jerome Ford are candidates to sit out of action in Week 18. If that does happen, Pierre Strong Jr. would be elevated to the lead role against a Cincinnati defense that is allowing the 14th-most fantasy points per game to running backs this season, making him an interesting name for DFS contests. Stay tuned.
Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (groin) was present at practice on Thursday but had his repetitions limited. It's an improvement after Hunt didn't practice on Wednesday. Hunt has been a regular on the injury report this season but he hasn't missed a game. The fact that the 28-year-old was able to return to practice on Thursday bodes well for his availability for Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals. However, the Browns could hold out many of their starters this weekend while already being locked into the No. 5 seed for the playoffs, which will make Hunt a risky DFS option in Week 18. Hopefully we'll get a better feel for which starters besides quarterback Joe Flacco will be rested and whether Hunt will play by Friday or Saturday.
Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (groin) will not practice with the team on Wednesday. Hunt has battled a groin injury off and on throughout the year but should be able to return to practice on Thursday or Friday. The 28-year-old is averaging just 3.04 yards per carry on 135 rushing attempts this year for the Browns, but he has found the end zone nine times on the ground, including once in each of the last two games. Hunt should be healthy enough to play in the Week 18 regular season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals this Sunday, but all of Cleveland's starters on offense will be extremely risky fantasy options because of the fact they could be rested. The Browns are locked into the No. 5 spot in the AFC for the playoffs and have already announced quarterback Joe Flacco won't play.
