Browns’ Hunt eager to play again as ban ends

Saints’ Kamara ready to return after missing two games

BEREA, Ohio — Kareem Hunt learned humility during his time away from football, the lengthy layoff forcing him to grow up.

It was a tough lesson. A needed one.

While serving his eightgame NFL suspension for losing control of his emotions and becoming violent with a woman, the Browns running back gained a deeper appreciation for all he’s been given — and how quickly it can vanish.

His long wait is over. Hunt will return to the field this week for the first time since the league punished him for two physical off-field altercations, one where he was infamously captured on videotape shoving and kicking a woman during an argument in a hotel hallway while he played for the Kansas City Chiefs.

SAINTS: Alvin Kamara sounds ready to rejoin the New Orleans Saints on the field this week.

“I feel good. I practiced the last two days. I’m ready,” Kamara, who missed two games with ankle and knee injuries, said after Thursday’s practice. “I’m happy to be back, just happy to be back practicing on the field with my teammates, happy to be back kind of like a regular functioning member of this team, because when you’re hurt you’re kind of like on the backburner a little bit. You kind of miss out.”

Coach Sean Payton agreed that Kamara “looked really good” this week.

SEAHAWKS: Seattle coach Pete Carroll is trying to temper the expectations as Josh Gordon is integrated into the team.

Right now, Carroll is more concerned about just seeing Gordon get through a full week of practice.

“He’s a smart football guy. He’s going to get it. It’s not going to take him very long. I just need to see him practice. I can’t tell you anything right now,” Carroll said Thursday.

The speed with which Gordon is able to pick up the Seahawks’ system and find a role will ultimately determine if he plays Monday night when the Seahawks face division foe San Francisco.