4 options at running back for Cleveland Browns following Nick Chubb injury

The Cleveland Browns were dealt a huge blow on Monday Night Football when they lost Nick Chubb to an injury. After he had 64 yards on 10 carries in just the first half, Chubb was hit by Minkah Fitzpatrick directly on the knee and his leg bent backward.

He was carted off the field and won't be back in 2023. That means Jerome Ford is set to be the No. 1 back with Pierre Strong, Jr. as the No. 2.

Each back played well in Chubb's absence but if Cleveland isn't satisfied with these unproven backs, they can look to make a move in either free agency or trade for one of these four options.

4. Caleb Huntley, Free Agent

Undrafted out of Ball State in 2022, Caleb Huntley had a few games to remember for the Atlanta Falcons last year. He finished with 366 yards on just 76 attempts, which was 4.8 yards per run. He was a non-factor in the passing game but the 229-pounder moved the ball with ease when his number was called.

He proved this to the Browns in Week 3 when he ran for 56 yards and his lone touchdown in Week 3. That was one of the more frustrating games of the season for Cleveland as they fell 23-20 to Atlanta due in large part to their inability to stop the run.

This year, Huntley was a victim of the numbers game with Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, and Cordarrelle Patterson ahead of him — and he was also coming off a torn Achilles suffered in Week 15. Now healthy, he might not be a player to run it 20 times per game but he would give Cleveland a power back capable of picking up the tough yards.

3. James Robinson, Free Agent

This isn't the first time the dots have been connected between James Robinson and the Cleveland Browns — and this time, they should pull the trigger.

Robinson had 1,070 yards as a rookie for the Jacksonville Jaguars as a rookie in 2020 and followed that up with 787 yards in 2021. His usage then dropped in 2022 when Doug Pederson turned to Travis Etienne as the primary back. That led to him being traded to the New York Jets to close out the season.

He played four games in New York and had just 85 yards on 29 carries. The Jets elected not to bring him back and Robinson then signed with the New England Patriots. He never played for them and was let go despite signing a two-year $8 million deal. He quickly landed with the New York Giants but was again released before the regular season.

Recently, Robinson worked out for the Indianapolis Colts but was not signed. That means the Browns can still pounce and considering the lack of experience they now have on their depth chart, it would make a lot of sense.

For his career, Robinson has 2,262 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground and has been a weapon in the passing game as well with 91 receptions for 617 yards and five more touchdowns.

2. Kareem Hunt, Free Agent

Back in 2017, Kareem Hunt was one of the hottest names in the entire NFL. A third-round pick out of Toledo, he led the NFL in rushing yards with 1,327 for the Kansas City Chiefs. He added 455 yards as a receiver with 11 total touchdowns.

He was released due to off-field issues and finished his time in K.C. with 2,151 yards on the ground and 833 through the air with 25 touchdowns.

After his release, he was signed by the Cleveland Browns and spent the next four seasons with his hometown team. Hunt wound up appearing in 49 games for Cleveland and put up 1,874 rushing yards and 973 receiving with 23 total touchdowns.

He was especially impressive in 2020 when Nick Chubb missed four games with a knee injury, finishing with 841 rushing yards and 304 receiving.

Hunt hit free agency this offseason and the Browns were reportedly not interested in bringing him back, saying they felt he lost a step. He has visited with several teams and at one point, it appeared he was set to sign with the New Orleans Saints.

That never happened and Hunt is still there. He might not be as explosive as he once was but he's a savvy veteran who already knows the offense. That makes him a player to watch should Cleveland be interested in bringing in some help.

1. Cam Akers, Trade Target

A second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Cam Akers has fallen behind Kyren Williams on the Los Angeles Rams depth chart. That wasn't expected after he had a strong campaign in 2022 with 786 yards and seven touchdowns.

It was a huge season for Akers since he missed the majority of the 2021 season and had just three yards in one game before returning in the playoffs. So far in 2023, he has just 22 rushes for 29 yards and a touchdown, and head coach Sean McVay has admitted he's beginning to field calls about his availability.

Akers might not be seen as a workhorse back but he's been someone that has proven he can carry the load with 1,443 yards and 10 touchdowns in 30 career games. He's also averaging 4.0 yards per attempt and has 9.3 yards per reception.

It might not be ideal to send draft capital away for a running back but it also might not cost a lot. Perhaps a late-round pick will be all it will take to make this deal happen. And if the Rams take Akers' wishes into consideration, that could sway things since he would have a shot at being the lead back in Cleveland.

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