CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns’ offense got quite the offensive boost ahead of Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills at FirstEnergy Stadium when running back Kareem Hunt was activated after serving an eight-game suspension.
With Hunt on the field for carries, catches out of the backfield and lead blocking for fellow running back Nick Chubb, the Browns averaged 5.7 yards per carry, gaining 147 yards on 26 rushes on the way to a 19-16 victory over the Bills, Cleveland’s first win in more than a month.
“It feels great,” wide receiver Jarvis Landry said of having Hunt in the fold. “I think we saw how dynamic our offense was when we get those guys the ball. Obviously, with Nick’s touches and Kareem’s effort was amazing. All of his efforts -- second, third, fourth efforts were amazing.”
Browns coach Freddie Kitchens added, “Speed, passion, the ability to run the ball, catch the ball. Had a big time third-down catch for us. A good player. Blocked well for Nick. Nick blocked well for him. You are talking about two unselfish individuals – unselfish individuals, the two of them.”
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Hunt got only four carries, but turned them into 30 yards and a game-high 7.5 yards-per-rush average. Additionally, Hunt caught seven of the nine passes quarterback Baker Mayfield threw his way and turned those receptions into 44 yards.
When Hunt was not carrying the ball, he served as a lead blocker for most of Chubb’s 20 rushes against the Bills. With Hunt helping lead the way and distract the defense coupled with hard running from Chubb, the Browns’ lead back gained 116 yards.
“Anytime you get two backs in the game, it is tough for defenses play differently,” Mayfield said. “You have to bring a guy down and you are worried about the receivers on the outside. You have to give different looks and kind of mix it up. We did a good job of having answers for everything they were doing.
“Obviously, Kareem is such a dynamic player. He is able to block or run the ball when he needs to. That last drive, he made a great cut block for Nick Chubb on an outside zone play that really sealed the deal for us to get into a good, manageable down and distance. He just does a lot of things well. He wants to win. He is able to sacrifice whatever it takes.”
Although Kitchens and the Browns were happy to have Hunt back on the field for meaningful snaps, the first-year head coach was proudest of the fact that the talented runner was able to overcome the issues that led to his off-the-field incidents and made positive changes in his life beyond football.
“Kareem has worked tremendously hard as a person and on the football field,” Kitchens said. “I am just as proud of Kareem off the field as I am on it. He knows that. I am glad he is here with us. He is very unselfish. He and Nick get along great together, and he fits in well here.”