Browns’ Chubb to miss second game
Star running back out with calf injury, hamstringing NFL’S top rushing team
The NFL’S top rushing team has run into major trouble.
Browns star back Nick Chubb will miss his second straight game with a calf injury, leaving Cleveland without its two best backs Thursday night against the Denver Broncos.
Chubb was ruled out Tuesday by coach Kevin Stefanski before practice. He also didn’t play against Arizona on Sunday, when running back Kareem Hunt suffered a calf injury that could sideline him for more than a month.
Hunt was placed on injured reserve — meaning he will miss at least three games — along with rookie linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-koramoah.
The Browns lead the league in rushing, averaging 165 yards per game. While Chubb and Hunt are recovering, D’ernest Johnson will step in as Cleveland’s primary back and make his first start Thursday. He has just three carries for 11 yards this season.
Johnson provided a spark last season when Chubb got hurt against
Dallas and missed four games with a sprained knee. Johnson came in and ran for 95 yards in the win over the Cowboys.
One of the game’s top runners, the 25-year-old Chubb, who has 523 yards and four touchdowns in five games, hurt his calf toward the end of Cleveland’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Oct. 10.
The severity of Chubb’s injury is not known, while Stefanski said on Monday that Hunt will likely be out in the “ballpark” of four to six weeks.
Stefanski said quarterback Baker Mayfield will be limited in practice and it’s too early to know if he’ll play Thursday because of a painful shoulder injury or if starting tackles Jack Conklin and Jedrick Wills Jr. will be back after sitting out Sunday.
Giants: New York placed starting left tackle Andrew Thomas on injured reserve along with wide receiver/kickoff returner C.J. Board.
Patriots: New England promoted defensive back Myles Bryant from the practice squad to the 53-man roster and placed linebacker Chase Winovich on injured reserve.
Bears: Chicago placed linebacker Robert Quinn on the reserve/covid-19 list.
Broncos: Denver is confident banged-up quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will start Thursday night at Cleveland.
Colts: Indianapolis waived quarterback Jacob Eason after activating rookie quarterback Sam Ehlinger from injured reserve. The Colts also placed receiver Parris Campbell on injured reserve.
Cowboys: Dallas safety Damontae Kazee was arrested early Tuesday on suspicion of driving while intoxicated in a Dallas suburb, police said. The Colony police Sgt. Aaron Woodard said Kazee was booked on a Class B misdemeanor. Kazee was released around midday after posting $2,500 bond, Woodard said.
Jaguars: Jacksonville cut veteran kicker Josh Lambo.
Ravens: