The Athletic's Zac Jackson projects Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. to make the team with both Nick Chubb and Nyheim Hines coming off knee injuries. Strong might be the fifth running back on the team, though, and he might not play RB at all. He showcased his impressive straight-line speed in May and June during offseason workouts and most of his work will likely come on special teams as a punt gunner and kickoff returner. For that, he'll likely be on the game-day roster, despite a RB room that includes Chubb, Hines, Jerome Ford and D'Onta Foreman. Strong and backup cornerback Justin Hardee Sr. are near the top of the list of players in line to make the roster for special teams purposes. Just don't count on Strong being anywhere near the fantasy radar in 2024.
Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. (back) was participating in organized team activities on Wednesday. Strong appears to be recovered from a back injury that kept him out of the team's wild-card loss to the Houston Texans in the postseason. The 25-year-old was active for all 17 regular-season games in 2023 in his first year in Cleveland but only started one contest and had 63 rushing attempts for 21 yards and one touchdown while adding five receptions on eight targets for 47 yards through the air. Lead back Nick Chubb (knee) is recuperating from a gruesome knee injury and may not be ready to go by Week 1, but the Browns also added backfield depth this offseason in D'Onta Foreman and Nyheim Hines. Even if Chubb isn't ready to go, Strong is merely going to be RB depth in Cleveland, and he's not a lock to make the roster out of training camp.
Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. (back) has been ruled out ahead of Saturday's Wild-Card game against the Houston Texans. Strong was considered questionable heading into this game due to a back issue. The Browns have decided to take the cautious approach and hold him out of this game. His absence won't have a huge impact on the running game for Cleveland. The expectation is that Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt will see basically all the carries in the backfield.
Pierre Strong Jr. Listed As Questionable For Wild-Card Game
Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. (back) has been listed as questionable for Saturday's wild-card playoff game against the Houston Texans. Strong injured his back in the Week 18 regular season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals and now may not be available for the first playoff game this weekend. If the 25-year-old second-year back does not suit up in Houston, receiver James Proche II will most likely handle return duties on special teams. Strong hasn't really been a fantasy asset in 2023 in his first season in Cleveland while serving as the No. 3 back behind Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt. He's seen 63 rushing attempts on the year for 291 yards and one touchdown in 17 games.
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 Pierre Strong Jr. (back) was listed as a non-participant for the team's first practice of the week on Tuesday. Strong was injured during his 14-carry, 65-yard rushing performance in his first and only start of the 2023 season in the Week 18 regular season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals with the Browns resting both Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt in a meaningless game. It remains to be seen if the 25-year-old will be available for this Saturday's wild-card playoff contest versus the Houston Texans, but even if Strong is available for Cleveland, he'll be one to ignore for DFS contests as the No. 3 behind Ford and Hunt. If Strong cannot get the green light to play this weekend, John Kelly Jr. could be called up from the practice squad to the active roster.
Pierre Strong Jr. Rolls Up 65 Rushing Yards In Week 18
Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. carried the ball 14 times for 65 yards and failed to corral his lone target in a 31-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 18. With the Browns opting to rest several key veterans in the game, Strong got the start and wound up posting career highs in carries. With the Browns slated to face the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round next week, look for Strong to return to the RB3 role for the Browns. He makes for an interesting stash in deeper dynasty leagues heading into the offseason.
Pierre Strong Jr. Could See An Increased Role In Week 18
Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. has seen just 49 carries for 226 yards as the team's No. 3 RB this season. He could be in store for an increased role in Week 18 against the Cincinnati Bengals, however. The Browns have already locked up the No. 5 seed in the AFC and don't have much to play for in the regular-season finale. The team hasn't ruled Jerome Ford or Kareem Hunt out yet but it wouldn't be a surprise if both running backs sat out of Week 18. If that happens, Strong would operate as the team's lead back against a Cincinnati defense that is allowing the 14th-most fantasy points per game to running backs this season. Strong sets up as a solid flex option in season-long formats and an interesting RB2 in DFS contests this weekend.
Kareem Hunt Returns To Practice, Pierre Strong Jr. Absent
Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (groin) practiced in a limited fashion on Thursday, while Pierre Strong Jr. (illness) was absent from the session. It's an upgrade for Hunt, who was idle on Wednesday with a groin injury. It would be somewhat surprising if the 28-year-old former Pro Bowler isn't out there on Sunday against the Chicago Bears; Hunt has followed a similar practice regimen in recent weeks of starting as a DNP, being upgraded to limited, and getting removed from the injury report by the time Friday's injury designations roll around. Despite finding the end zone seven times in nine games since returning from Cleveland's Week 5 bye, Hunt has seen minimal passing-game involvement and hasn't topped the 50-yard threshold on the ground in any outing as a touchdown-dependent fantasy RB3. Strong, a third-stringer, will not be fantasy relevant in Week 15, whether he is active or not due to his illness.
Pierre Strong Jr. Gets In A Full Practice On Wednesday
Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. (hamstring) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. Strong went in the Browns' Week 10 contest against the Ravens with a questionable tag but ended up suiting up in that game. He did not record a single offensive touch, however, and was limited to special teams. It's possible that the Browns were concerned about his hamstring so they intentionally limited his snaps. But with both Kareem Hunt and Jerome Ford healthy, Strong's fantasy upside is extremely limited.
