With Quinshon Judkins’ status still up in the air following an arrest earlier this month and Nick Chubb no longer in the fold, a familiar face is stepping back into a bigger role for the Cleveland Browns as training camp opens.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters on Wednesday afternoon that Jerome Ford is expected to lead the Browns’ backfield this summer.
Ford has racked up 1,934 yards and 12 touchdowns from scrimmage over the last two seasons, while averaging 5.4 yards per carry on the ground in 2024. While rookie fourth-round pick Dylan Sampson will surely get plenty of opportunities to prove himself over the next several weeks, the Browns are opting for experience early on in training camp.
Ford will have to wait at least another day to capitalize on this new opportunity, however, as the veteran running back did not practice on the first day of camp. Pierre Strong Jr. took reps with the first-team offense in Ford’s absence.
Stefanski did not have much to add regarding Judkins’ status, but did address the situation:
While the Browns’ quarterback competition will undoubtedly be in the spotlight over the next several weeks, the start of camp on Wednesday shows the team still has questions to answer across the offense as a whole, too.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns RB Jerome Ford taking on RB1 snaps in Quinshon Judkins’ absence
Reporting by Pat McGinnis, Browns Wire / Browns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
