Browns' Jerome Ford: Totals 30 yards from scrimmage
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Ford had two carries for 17 yards and caught five of six targets for 13 yards in Sunday's 23-9 loss to the Steelers in Week 6. He also returned one kickoff for 22 yards.
Ford was on the field for 33 offensive snaps -- the most since Week 2 -- and had seven touches for the second straight week. His playing time has increased the last two games, which is tied to the quarterback change from Joe Flacco to rookie Dillon Gabriel. Ford leads the running back room with 21 targets through six games and could see an uptick in usage as a runner going forward, as the organization seeks to protect the one hopeful thing it has on offense, rookie running back Quinshon Judkins.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Uptick in offensive touches
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Ford had five carries for 18 yards and caught both of his targets for 10 yards in Sunday's 21-17 loss to the Vikings. He also returned three kickoffs for 78 yards.
Ford's seven touches on offense, 38 yards from scrimmage and 116 combined yards were his most since Week 2, when he was still a factor before Quinshon Judkins became the lead running back. Cleveland's switch to rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel was the reason for Ford's increased touches. To make life easier on Gabriel, the Browns deployed a run-heavy offense and had a 50/50 split between rushes and pass attempts. They also got right tackle Jack Conklin (elbow) back, which helped Cleveland amass a season-high 140 yards on the ground. Barring a Judkins injury, Ford's days as the lead back are over, but Sunday's game plan showed how the Browns offense can be competitive.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Top kick returner on depth chart
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Ford is listed as the top kickoff returner on the Browns' unofficial depth chart heading into Week 5 against the Vikings.
Ford is set to take on a larger role Sunday when he's expected to add kick-return duties to his portfolio, replacing DeAndre Carter (knee), who was placed on IR following Week 4's loss to Detroit. Ford's usage as a runner is down in 2025 due to the emergence of rookie back Quinshon Judkins -- just one carry the last two weeks -- but he has served as receiving threat out of the backfield. And now with the quarterback change -- rookie Dillon Gabriel will replace veteran Joe Flacco -- and what is expected to be run-heavy offensive gameplan, Ford might reclaim some of those lost carries.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Snap count dropping
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Ford had one carry for minus-1 yard and caught one of two targets for four yards in Sunday's 34-10 loss to the Lions in Week 4.
Ford was on the field for a season-low 18 snaps, as Cleveland's backfield is now topped by Quinshon Judkins, who had 21 of the 23 carries allotted to running backs. Ford still contributes as a third-down back and has been targeted multiple times in three consecutive contests, and he appears to still be slightly ahead of Dylan Sampson in the pecking order for touches.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Targeted four times in win
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Ford caught all four targets for 10 yards in Sunday's 13-10 win over Green Bay in Week 3.
Ford didn't get a carry for the first time in three weeks, but he has emerged as a primary target out of the backfield. He actually caught a fifth pass, but the play was negated by a holding penalty. Ford has 10 official targets over the last two weeks and 11 for the season. That's tied with Dylan Sampson for the lead among Cleveland's running backs, but Sampson went untargeted Sunday and has just three over the last two weeks. Ford was not used in the return game after returning six kicks in Week 2.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Finishes with 135 all-purpose yards
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Ford rushed six times for 31 yards, brought in five of six targets for 23 yards and returned four kickoffs for 81 yards in the Browns' 41-17 loss to the Ravens on Sunday.
Although debuting rookie Quinshon Judkins paced the ground attack with 10 rush attempts, Ford still logged two more carries than Dylan Sampson, who'd garnered more work than the veteran in Week 1. Ford also tied Harold Fannin for the team lead in receptions, and he filled the role of primary kickoff returner. Judkins' role figures to only grow moving forward, however, so how long Ford can remain truly relevant in the offense of a non-contending team while also navigating Sampson's presence remains to be seen.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Works behind Sampson
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Ford rushed the ball six times for eight yards in Sunday's 17-16 loss to the Bengals. He added one reception on one target for minus-3 yards.
Ford was expected to serve as Cleveland's lead back, but he was instead out-touched 20-7 by Dylan Sampson. Ford didn't help himself with his opportunity, as he averaged only 1.3 yards per attempt, with his longest gain on the ground going for only two yards. Things aren't likely to get better for Ford moving forward, as Quinshon Judkins is expected to join the backfield as soon as Week 2 against Baltimore.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: RBs to Start
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We'll find out this week how the Browns plan to use their running backs, at least until Quinshon Judkins is signed, and Ford and Dylan Sampson should share touches against the Bengals. I expect Ford to get the majority of carries, and I would use him as a No. 2 running back in all leagues, with Sampson as a potential flex. Last year, Ford faced Cincinnati in Week 16 and had 11 carries for 92 yards and a touchdown and five catches for 39 yards on five targets for 24.1 PPR points. It would be great if he could repeat that performance this week.
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Browns' Jerome Ford: Positioned to lead backfield early
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Ford is expected to operate in a workhorse role Week 1 versus the Bengals on Sunday, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reports.
Ford led the Browns in rushing last year, albeit with just 565 yards across 14 regular-season games, and he now looks set for a lead back role this weekend, while rookie fourth-round pick Dylan Sampson operates as a change-of-pace back. Cleveland also claimed undrafted rookie Raheim Sanders off waivers last week, who at 6-foot, 230 pounds could contribute in short-yardage situations. Cabot reports that 2025 second-round pick Quinshon Judkins, who hasn't yet signed his rookie deal, could join the Browns soon, so there are considerable avenues for this backfield split to shift as the year progresses. Even if Judkins were to sign immediately, however, Ford and Sampson appear solidified in their roles for Week 1.
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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: 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.
