CLEVELAND — Be it to keep the Cleveland Browns’ slim playoff hopes alive for another week or build momentum heading into the offseason, running back Kareem Hunt is committed to doing what is necessary to help the team experience winning.
Hunt knows well what a playoff team looks like after spending two years with the Kansas City Chiefs, and no matter what he is tasked with, the third-year running back is willing to put himself on the line for what’s best for the franchise.
“I’m a team player,” Hunt said. “I know what I do when I get the opportunities to do what I can do. I’m just here to win. Whatever that takes, I’m willing to do. It doesn’t matter how many touches or stats or whatever, but if I provide a big play here and there to help this team win, I’m cool with it.”
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The Browns headed west looking for a much-needed road win to remain in realistic contention for a playoff spot, but an inability to stop the run and generate scoring plays when they possessed the ball reduced those chances further last Sunday.
Arizona Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake scored four rushing touchdowns and rookie quarterback Kyler Murray added a fifth with a passing score in the third quarter on the way to a 38-24 win over the Browns (6-8) at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
The loss was the Browns’ second away from home in the last three weeks and extended their road losing streak to five straight after they started with wins at the New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens in the first month of the year.
That prompted coach Freddie Kitchens to say he needed to do a better job getting the players prepared to play on game days, but Hunt feels there needs to be a higher sense of internal motivation from his teammates.
“I really don’t need much to get me prepared,” Hunt said. “Give me the playbook and all that stuff. If you don’t come out ready to play -- I’m always excited to step out onto that field. The most he can get us ready to play is just make sure we’re detail-sound and physically healthy to be out there. You have to get yourself ready to play, too.”
In six games with the Browns since returning from an eight-game suspension for off-the-field issues, Hunt has rushed for 167 yards and two touchdowns on just 38 carries, an average of 4.4 yards per attempt, and when he has not gotten the ball, the Willoughby native and South High School graduate has been a lead blocker for the NFL’s leading rusher, Nick Chubb.
Additionally, Hunt has been on the receiving end of 30 passes in 36 targets, which he has converted into 220 yards and one score.
“I’m one of those guys who leads by just playing,” Hunt said. “Just going out there, honestly, it’s not about having leaders. We’ve got leaders here and we’ve got people who love the game of football. It’s just we’ve got to stay together and come out ready to play.
“I just go out there and play football. I’m one of those guys that’s going to go out there and lay my body on the line each and every play. I ain’t going to worry about everything else. I’m just going to control the things I can control and if that’s making a block, or running a route, catching a pass, I know what I’m able to do when I get my opportunities.”