Though Nick Chubb is likely not coming back to the Browns, Ford received new competition for touches when the Browns drafted Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson in the offseason. We expect Judkins to win the RB1 job with ease, leading Ford to compete with Sampson for the RB2 role. Head coach Kevin Stefanski has generally run a two-back system in Cleveland and Ford may still be the best option on passing downs as the rookie acclimate to the NFL. Ford has shown big-play ability with four touchdowns of at least 50 yards in the last two seasons, so he may be able to provide flex value on eight-to-10 touches, especially if three or four of those are catches. For now, Ford is best viewed as a late-round dart throw who may be one of the first guys you cut when you need help off the waiver wire.
Ford carried the ball twice for 14 yards and caught both his targets for five yards in Saturday's 19-17 preseason win over the Rams.
The fourth-year back split the backfield workload with fourth-round rookie Dylan Sampson over the Browns' first two drives, before Sampson checked out and was replaced by Pierre Strong. Ford himself then gave way to Ahmani Marshall to begin the second quarter. Ford and Sampson figure to share touches to begin the regular season as well, but how snaps are actually divided between the two, and in what situations, remains to be seen. Quinshon Judkins, a second-round pick in 2025 who has yet to sign a contract with Cleveland due to off-field issues, remains a wild card but could be added to the backfield later in the year.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Not in line to play Saturday
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Ford is among the key Cleveland players not slated to play in Saturday's preseason game against the Eagles, Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports.
The same applies to fellow RB Dylan Sampson, QBs Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett (hamstring), Shedeur Sanders (oblique), WR Jerry Jeudy, as well as TEs David Njoku and Harold Fannin. With 2025 second-rounder Quinshon Judkins still unsigned, Ford remains in a position to continue handling a key role in the Browns' backfield, and his next chance to see game action will arrive Aug. 23 against the Rams.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Not slated to play Friday
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Ford is among the Browns not in line to play in Friday's preseason opener against the Panthers.
Other key non-injured Cleveland skill players not slated to see action Friday are QB Joe Flacco, RB Pierre Strong, WRs Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman, as well as TE David Njoku. With the status of unsigned rookie second-rounder Quinshon Judkins still unclear, Ford currently profiles as the Browns' top back, with Strong and Dylan Sampson also in the mix for touches out of the gate this season. As for Friday night's contest, Sampson, Trayveon Williams, Ahmani Marshall and Toa Taua are available to handle backfield touches.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Could practice soon
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Ford (undisclosed) worked out with the athletic training staff Friday and is getting closer to practicing, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski has been consistently optimistic that Ford's absence at the start of training camp won't last long. With rookie second-round pick Quinshon Judkins unsigned and facing legal problems, the Browns are left with only fourth-round pick Dylan Sampson, Pierre Strong and UDFA Ahmani Marshall as the available running backs for the opening days of training camp. Ford likely will be the leader of the group once he's ready to return from his unspecified injury.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Misses Wednesday's practice
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Ford didn't participate in Wednesday's training camp practice, with Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram noting that the running back appears to be dealing with a minor unspecified injury.
With 2025 second-rounder Quinshon Judkins unsigned amid legal issues, per Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal, Ford's absence further taxes the Browns' running back depth at the onset of training camp. For now, Dylan Sampson, Pierre Strong and Ahmani Marshall are the team's available backfield options, but once Ford is back on the field, he'll profile as the team's RB1, given Judkins' situation, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com notes.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Atop depth chart for now
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Ford (ankle) is atop the depth chart at running back, but that could change given the Browns' selection of Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins with the 36th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Zac Jackson and Lauren Smith of The Athletic report.
Ford enters the final year of his rookie deal and has been a competent complementary player behind Nick Chubb the last three seasons. Drafting Judkins suggests the team will not bring Chubb back, and the rookie Buckeyes running back is talented enough to earn carries immediately. At the very least, Judkins will be part of the backfield from Day 1 and could take over as the primary back early in the season -- the same path Chubb took to become one of the game's best backs prior to a serious knee injury in 2023. Think of Ford as atop the depth chart with an asterisk.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Lands on IR
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Ford (ankle) has been placed on IR by the Browns.
Ford already was ruled out for the 3-13 Browns' season finale, so his placement on IR creates a roster spot for the team heading into Week 18. In 14 contests this season, he carried 104 times for 565 yards and three TDs and caught 37 of his 43 targets for 225 yards. Ford remains under contract with Cleveland in 2025, though the running back's role next season is to be determined and hinges on the moves the team makes this offseason to bolster its backfield.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Another missed practice
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Ford (ankle) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Ford has yet to practice this week, so the running back is looking pretty iffy for Saturday's season finale against the Ravens. If Ford ends up sidelined this weekend, D'Onta Foreman likely would be next in line for carries Week 18, with Pierre Strong (concussion) -- if he's available -- and John Kelly also candidates to mix in. Additionally, the Browns have RBs Aidan Robbins and Jacob Kibodi on their practice squad.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Not practicing Wednesday
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Ford (ankle) isn't taking part in practice Wednesday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Ford was deemed a non-participant for Tuesday's walk-through practice, and his continued absence Wednesday makes Thursday's session a critical one in determining his chances of playing Saturday against the Ravens. If Ford is out this weekend or available in only a limited capacity, D'Onta Foreman would likely be next in line for carries, with Pierre Strong (concussion) -- if available -- and John Kelly also in the mix.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Logs just one snap after injury
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Ford rushed six times for 22 yards with no targets as a receiver in Sunday's 20-3 loss to the Dolphins. He left the game due to an ankle injury in the second quarter, and though he returned in the third period, he logged only one more snap.
Ford failed to replicate last week's sterling starting performance against a tougher defensive opponent, though that may have largely been due to an ankle injury he suffered in the second quarter. The third-year back's final carry came with just over six minutes remaining before halftime -- he was injured on that play and was deemed questionable to return shortly thereafter. Though Ford did re-enter the game near the start of the third quarter, he played only one more snap. As a result, veteran back D'Onta Foreman received 13 carries for 49 yards in Sunday's loss. If he's able to suit up in Week 18, Ford would likely remain in line to serve as one of the top rushing options for the 3-13 Browns with Nick Chubb (foot) sidelined for the remainder of the campaign. However, if the ankle issue proves too much for the 25-year-old to overcome, Foreman could get the start against a tough Ravens run defense.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: RBs to Start
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Ford did better than expected in Week 16 at Cincinnati with 24.1 PPR points, and he had 11 carries for 92 yards and a touchdown and five catches for 39 yards on five targets. He's now scored at least 15.5 PPR points in four of his past seven outings where Nick Chubb (foot) was either out or injured, including two in a row, and Ford is worth starting as a No. 2 running back in all leagues against the Dolphins. It's tough to run on Miami, but Ford should be heavily involved in the passing game with Dorian Thompson-Robinson at quarterback. The Dolphins have allowed 20 receptions to running backs in their past four games.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: RBs to Start
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Nick Chubb (foot) is out for the season, so Ford should be looking at a big workload at Cincinnati. He just scored 18.4 PPR points in Week 15 against Kansas City, thanks to a 62-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, and Ford scored at least 15.5 PPR points in two of the first five games this season while Chubb was still out with his knee injury. This is a great matchup against the Bengals, who have allowed seven running backs to score at least 10.4 PPR points in their past five games. As long as Dorian Thompson-Robinson isn't a disaster at quarterback for the Browns, Ford should be a solid No. 2 Fantasy running back in all leagues.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Week 16 Adds (RB Preview)
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Ford has a great matchup, should have a good role, and could be a top-12 running back this week. I would like him and the rest of the Browns offense more if Jameis Winston was starting, but Ford is still an RB2. Ford is averaging 5.2 yards per carry thanks to three runs of more than 30 yards. He also had a 13% target share earlier in the season when Chubb was recovering from his torn ACL.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Long TD run in extended duty
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Ford rushed seven times for 84 yards and a touchdown and brought in both targets for 20 yards in the Browns' 21-7 loss to the Chiefs on Sunday. He also returned four kickoffs for 117 yards.
Ford opened the game in his usual complementary role behind Nick Chubb, but the latter eventually exited the game due to what was subsequently determined to be a broken foot. Ford broke off a 62-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter to account for the majority of his yardage, but he should be poised to handle a lead-back role moving forward for what remains of the season with Chubb sidelined.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Backfield snap leader
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Ford rushed the ball 10 times for 28 yards and caught three of four targets for 19 yards in Sunday's 27-14 loss to Pittsburgh.
Ford's 13 touches were his most since coming back a hamstring injury in Week 9. He was on the field for 40 snaps, more than starter Nick Chubb (26) for the second consecutive game, but that has more to do with Cleveland playing from behind. The Browns have attempted more than 40 passes six times in the seven games since Jameis Winston has taken over at quarterback. That's a situation that benefits Ford, who leads the backfield with 36 targets.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Week 14 Waiver Priority List
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Ford looked good in Week 13 at Denver with nine carries for 41 yards and one catch for 21 yards on one target. He's now scored at least 7.2 PPR points in two of his past three games, and he could be a flex option in deeper leagues while sharing touches with Nick Chubb. And if Chubb were to miss any time then Ford could be a flex option in all leagues. Ford is worth adding in all leagues for 1 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Gains 62 yards on 10 touches
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Ford rushed nine times for 41 yards while catching his lone target for 21 yards in Monday's 41-32 loss to Denver.
Ford finished as the Browns' leading rusher while tying starter Nick Chubb in carries. The latter benefited from a receiving touchdown late in Monday's defeat, but Ford got extra run in the second half with the Browns playing from behind in the high-scoring affair. Ford has been getting enough work to warrant consideration in deeper formats ahead of Sunday's rematch against the Steelers (20-59-2 versus PIT in Week 12).
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Sleeper RBs
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This should be a game where Ford is involved in the passing game since Denver is among the worst teams at defending running backs out of the backfield. Nine running backs this season have scored at least 6.8 PPR points against the Broncos with just their receiving totals alone, and Ford recently had four catches for 29 yards on four targets in Week 11 at New Orleans. He's a risky flex option, but if Ford gets work in the passing game, then he'll be useful, given how Denver struggles to defend running backs out of the backfield.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Week 12 Waiver Priority List
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Ford will continue to operate as the No. 2 running back in Cleveland behind Nick Chubb, and Ford is worth adding in all leagues for up to 5 percent of your remaining FAB. He will hopefully have a prominent role in the passing game, and he had four catches for 29 yards on four targets in Week 11 at New Orleans, along with five carries for 10 yards. His value would clearly increase if something were to happen to Chubb, but maybe Ford can turn into a flex option in PPR as the season goes on.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Another limited practice
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Ford (hamstring) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Ford has missed two straight games, but his limited participation in practices last Friday and to kick off Week 9 prep suggest that he has a chance to suit up this weekend against the Chargers. That said, with Nick Chubb having reclaimed the top job in Cleveland's backfield, Ford's fantasy upside will have taken a notable hit whenever he makes his return to action.
