Browns quick hits: Star backs Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt 'better together' against Panthers
BEREA − Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt stood together as they took questions in the Browns locker room on Wednesday. During the course of the interview session, they were asked if this was going to become a regular occurrence.
"I mean, I guess so," Hunt said. "They say we’re better together."
There's no doubting the truth about that statement. Especially when it's about the way the two running backs play together on the field.
From the moment Hunt was signed in 2019, Browns fans have clamored to see the two together on the field. That's happened occasionally, but not in any sustained fashion for one reason or another.
In the Browns' win at Carolina, that wish was granted, at least in the first half. The duo was on the field together for eight plays, one of which involved a penalty on the play.
It may not seem like a lot. However, it represented, at least in appearances, a substantial increase in time the two star backs were together on the field.
“Certain defenses have one philosophy and will treat the second runner as one thing, and certain defenses have another philosophy and may play a different front," coach Kevin Stefanski said. "Sometimes you know going into a game how they are going to respond. Other times, you put it out there to see how they are going to respond, and if it is this then we will go here and those type of things.”
The two backs combined for 187 rushing yards and a touchdown on 33 carries and 26 receiving yards and a touchdown on five catches. Chubb ran for 141 yards on 22 carries, with a 2-yard catch. Hunt had 46 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries, plus 24 yards and a touchdown on four catches.
Not all of that was done together in the formation. However, the punch-counterpunch of having those two on the field certainly doesn't just make the Browns' offense better, but the two backs as well.
"I think Kareem brings a lot of energy to the team, a lot of intensity, and I feed off of that," Chubb said. "When Kareem’s in there, he’s running the ball hard and it gets me going. So I enjoy playing with him."
Stefanski stopped short from saying the new "Chunt" backfield, as it has been nicknamed by fans, would be a weekly feature. The two backs, meanwhile, stopped short from fully embracing the thought of that nickname.
"We were just talking about that," Hunt said. "What is it? Chunt? I mean, that’s all right, whatever they want to call us. But that’s Nick, I’m Kareem as you already know."
Amari Cooper rests for Browns' afternoon practice
Receiver Amari Cooper was the biggest name not to practice in the afternoon for the Browns. However, Cooper, who was given the practice off to rest, did go through the rest of the day's work inside the facility.
Michael Woods II, who did not practice last Friday and did not travel to Carolina for the opener, remained sidelined with an illness. The only other Browns player to not fully participate in practice was right tackle Jack Conklin, who was listed as limited on the Wednesday injury report as he recovers from the torn patellar tendon suffered last November.
Tackle Chris Hubbard (elbow) and defensive end Isaiah Thomas (hand) were full participants for the Browns.
Zach Wilson practices for New York Jets, Joe Flacco expected to start against Browns
Three Jets did not practice Wednesday: offensive lineman George Fant (knee), defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers (toe) and safety Jordan Whitehead (ankle). Quarterback Zach Wilson was limited in his practice work as he recovers from a knee injury, as was Braxton Berrios (heel) and punter Braden Mann (back).
Wilson is not expected to play in Sunday's Browns home opener. Joe Flacco, per multiple reports out of New York, is slated to get the nod, while Mike White will be his backup.
Flacco completed 37 of 59 passes for 307 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the Jets' 24-9 loss to his former team, the Baltimore Ravens. Flacco was sacked three times in the game.
Short week with Pittsburgh Steelers on 'Thursday Night Football' after Jets
The Browns have their home opener on Sunday against the Jets. They'll be right back at FirstEnergy Stadium four days later when they play host to the Pittsburgh Steelers on "Thursday Night Football."
Stefanski acknowledged Wednesday the Browns are already adjusting things in terms of the week of preparation for New York with the thought of the short week in mind.
"Today’s practice will kind of reflect that," Stefanski said prior to practice. "Not going to be a full Wednesday, just keeping next Thursday in mind, but back to a normal Thursday, Friday.”
Special teams was deciding factor for Jerome Ford, D'Ernest Johnson
Eyebrows were raised a bit on Sunday morning when the Browns announced the inactive players for the opener and D'Ernest Johnson was one of them. The running back was seen, at least coming out of training camp, as the No. 3 option behind Chubb and Hunt.
Jerome Ford and Demetric Felton Jr., the latter basically a receiver in formations, were the other two running backs active. Special teams helped both Ford, as a kick returner, and Felton, as a punt returner, find their way onto the game-day roster.
“D’Ernest, as you know, we really, really like D’Ernest," Stefanski said. "There will be times where D’Ernest is going to play, play a lot and help us win, but it just was not last week.”
Contact Chris at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com.
On Twitter: @ceasterlingABj
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt better together for Browns against Panthers
