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Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford has served as the Browns RB1 by default, having taken over the job for most of 2023 after lead RB Nick Chubb went down with a season-ending knee injury. Ford had a solid season for fantasy managers, finishing as the RB16 in PPR.
Ford once again is the RB1 for the Browns, and relative to where he was drafted, has been a decent pickup. Ford has averaged 12.1 PPR fantasy points through three games and is handling decent volume, averaging 13 touches per game. Ford had been startable as an RB2/flex so far this season.
Unfortunately, Ford appeared on the injury report for Week 4. Is Jerome Ford hurt or healthy now? Will he play in Week 4? Let's dive in.
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Jerome Ford Injury Update for Fantasy Football
Ford missed Wednesday's practice with a knee injury. Information about his injury has been scarce, and not much else is known. Ford not being able to practice on Wednesday isn't super revealing of the situation, either.
INJURY REPORT: Jerome Ford (knee), David Njoku (ankle), Myles Garrett (foot, achilles, thigh) do not practice on Wednesday
— The Fantasy Source (@FantasySource_) September 25, 2024
Wednesday is commonly known as "Dudesday," referring to players who are "that dude" (i.e. good players and veterans) not being made to practice on that day. Wednesday is the first day of practice for upcoming Sunday games and is much less important to miss than Thursday and Friday practices when considering availability for the game.
Jerome Ford Fantasy Football Outlook
Though his role is somewhat game-script-dependent, Ford is the clear lead back for the Browns and has taken a majority of the snaps. Cleveland views him as a priority for touches over the other RBs, and that's been reflected in his volume.
Notable backfield snap share splits from Week 3:
Jerome Ford📈
J.K. Dobbins📈
Carson Steele📈
D'Andre Swift📉
Rhamondre Stevenson📉
Ezekiel Elliott📉
Zamir White📉 pic.twitter.com/xNBawKzTsi— Scott Spratt (@Scott_Spratt) September 23, 2024
The offense he's on isn't very good, though. Browns QB Deshaun Watson has been one of the worst in the NFL this year, and defenses have been able to focus more on defending the running game. The overall team situation isn't great, either. There's trouble along the offensive line.
Post-game thoughts after Giants 21, Browns 15:
🏈 Watson had 3 chances to go win the game. Couldnt do it.
🏈 Myles Garrett injury situation could dictate season.
🏈 O-line is a mess.
🏈 Browns need a young, fast, dynamic WR like Nabers.— Tony Grossi (@TonyGrossi) September 23, 2024
Ford has a lot of challenges to overcome, and the offense looks like it's taken a step back this year. In addition, when Nick Chubb returns, if he's anywhere near close to full health, Ford's fantasy value will fall off a cliff. He would be relegated to backup duties once again.
There may be somewhat of a committee between Chubb and Ford, but Chubb's talent is light years ahead of Ford's, and the backfield would belong to Chubb once again.
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