The guy who led the Browns in touchdowns last season doesn’t play for them anymore. Nor does Kareem Hunt, 29, currently play for any other team in the NFL.
Hunt is just a phone call away from a team needing a running back. Hunt at this point of his career specializes in short-yardage and goal line situations. It is very unlikely the former Willoughby South High star will hear from the Browns again.
Hunt scored nine touchdowns, all on the ground, in 2023. That accounted for 60% of the Browns’ rushing touchdowns and 23% of the 39 touchdowns they scored rushing and receiving combined. He was not with the Browns last year until he was re-signed after Nick Chubb was injured in the second game. Hunt totaled 23 touchdowns playing for the Browns from 2019-22.
Check out this footwork drill running backs coach Duce Staley is putting the #Browns backs through. Jerome Ford (34), Pierre Strong (20), D'Onta Foreman (27) and Aiden Robbins have to do it right. Staley won't tolerate sloppiness. pic.twitter.com/ZaOyCxOHEb
— Jeff Schudel (@jsproinsider) August 20, 2024
The offense is changing under new offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey, but they are still going to face third-and-one and are still going to walk to the line of scrimmage and be three feet from the end zone. Someone else will have to win those tough yards that Hunt fought so hard to gain.
That player is D’Onta Foreman.
“Great running back, man,” Browns defensive end Z’Darius Smith said before practice Aug. 20. “He loves the cut. If he finds that open hole, he’ll for sure be able to hit that gap. So we just got to play our gaps and be fundamentally sound when we’re going up against a guy like that.”
Foreman, 28, is 6-foot, 235 pounds. He had a scary moment Aug. 1 while the Browns were in training camp at the Greenbrier in West Virginia when he lowered his head and his neck was jammed on a punt rush drill. He never lost movement in his limbs, but he felt pain down his spine The pain spread to the muscles in his back. He was life-flighted in a helicopter to a nearby hospital as a precaution. He was in the hospital for about five hours and was back with the team a day later.
"I'm ready to excel in whatever role they put me in," says #Browns running back D'Onta Foreman. Foreman suffered a neck injury early in training camp. He was life-flighted to a hospital as a precaution. pic.twitter.com/HTuqzxf64J
— Jeff Schudel (@jsproinsider) August 20, 2024
“The doctors took their time,” Foreman said on Aug. 17 after the preseason game with the Vikings. “We had to drive back. It took about an hour and a half. But that was kind of cool because I got a little nap in.”
Foreman returned to practice Aug. 8. He did not play in the preseason opener against the Packers two days later, but he was on the field for 30 snaps Aug. 17 in the 27-12 preseason loss to the Vikings at Cleveland Browns Stadium. He carried the ball 10 times for 18 yards and scored the Browns’ only touchdown on a one-yard run. He caught a team-high five passes for 46 yards and returned a kick 21 yards.
“I showed I can catch the ball out of the backfield,” Foreman said. “I know I made some mistakes. I have to figure out how I can be better next time I’m out there. Wherever they need me, I’m going to take full advantage of the moment.”
Foreman’s next chance to prove his worth comes Aug. 24 when the Browns conclude their preseason in a game with the Seahawks in Seattle. Kickoff is 10 p.m.
Foreman played with the Texans, Titans, Panthers and Bears over six seasons before signing with the Browns. He has 17 career touchdowns. Foreman caught a career-best 11 passes with the Bears last year.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski understands why Foreman is campaigning to catch passes from Deshaun Watson when games begin to count on Sept. 8 in the season opener with the Cowboys.
“I would, too, if he did what he did in that game,” Stefanski said Aug. 20. “He’s a good player. He’s a big man that I don’t know if the guys are eager to tackle. So he runs downhill, he runs with purpose, he can catch the ball. Smart kid. He’s doing a nice job.”
An encouraging note for Foreman — James Cook caught 44 passes as the Bills’ running back in 2023 with Dorsey calling plays.
Foreman said he has never had a concussion. He said being tough is genetic.
“It’s my willpower and my family,” he said. “Everybody in my family is the same way. We’re strong-minded people. Whatever we put our mind to, we don’t stop until we get the job done.”
Foreman has the perfect attitude for a running back with the ball in his hands at the goal line.
Aug. 20 practice notes
Wide receiver Amari Cooper is dealing with an undisclosed injury. He participated in a walkthrough without wearing his helmet. … Linebacker Tony Fields returned to practice after missing about two weeks with an undisclosed injury. … Germain Ifedi was with the first team at left tackle. Ifedi suffered a hand injury in the preseason game with the Vikings.
Browns at Seahawks
When: 10 p.m., Aug. 24
Where: Lumen Field, Seattle
Records: Browns 0-2, Seahawks 1-1
TV: WEWS; Radio: WKRK-FM 92.3, WNCX-FM 98.5, WKNR-AM 850, WKKY-FM 104.7
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