The Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots prefer to run the ball as much as possible to help set up play-action passes for Baker Mayfield and Mac Jones, respectively. However, both clubs might be down to third-string tailbacks in Sunday's important matchup from Foxboro as Cleveland's Nick Chubb and Demetric Felton have tested positive for COVID and New England's Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson are in the concussion protocol. The Pats are currently -2.5 at Caesars Sportsbook with a total of 45.
While in theory Chubb could play Sunday with two negative COVID tests 24 hours apart between now and then, to this writer's knowledge no player who has tested positive the week of a game has played in it yet this season. Thus, Chubb – who is third in the league with 721 yards rushing -- and Felton surely are out even though both are reportedly vaccinated. Over the last two regular seasons, the Browns are 13-6 with Chubb and 3-3 without him. Cleveland averages 27.3 points with Chubb available and 18.8 without in that span.
Chubb's usual backup is former NFL rushing champion Kareem Hunt, and he's on injured reserve. Thus, it would be D'Ernest Johnson as the clear-cut featured back Sunday. The 25-year-old former undrafted free agent made this most of his last big opportunity, rushing 22 times for 146 yards and a TD and catching two passes for 22 yards in Cleveland's 17-14 Week 7 win over Denver when Chubb and Hunt were out. Felton only got two carries.
Johnson, also vaccinated, is the only "healthy" running back on the roster right now because the Browns had another tailback, John Kelly, go on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday. Johnson has been deemed as a close contact to Chubb and Felton but as of now has tested negative.
Meanwhile, Patriots running backs coach Ivan Fears said "we're on the wait-and-see program" regarding Harris and the rookie Stevenson. Harris has rushed for at least one touchdown in five straight games and has totaled 547 yards and seven scores on 133 carries on the year. Stevenson, a fourth-round pick out of Oklahoma, had 10 carries for 62 yards and two catches for 44 yards in Sunday's win at Carolina after Harris left.
Brandon Bolden presumably would take over as the No. 1 back Sunday if both those guys are out, although the Pats also have JJ Taylor. Against the Panthers, Bolden had eight carries for 54 yards while catching two passes for 27 yards. It was his highest output since Dec. 9, 2018, when he rushed the ball two times for 60 yards. Bolden, who also plays special teams, already has surpassed his 2019 production after opting to sit out the 2020 season.
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