JeromeFord

News: 4 days agoFord is among the key Cleveland players not slated to play in Saturday's preseason game against the Eagles, Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports.

Spin: The same applies to fellow RB Dylan Sampson, QBs Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett (hamstring), Shedeur Sanders (oblique), WR Jerry Jeudy, as well as TEs David Njoku and Harold Fannin. With 2025 second-rounder Quinshon Judkins still unsigned, Ford remains in a position to continue handling a key role in the Browns' backfield, and his next chance to see game action will arrive Aug. 23 against the Rams.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Ford returns for his fourth season in Cleveland with some uncertainty. He played six full games without Nick Chubb last season and was productive, averaging 14.0 touches, 78.0 yards and 14.0 fantasy points. He was also the team's lead back for most of 2023 and finished 16th among RBs in fantasy points (25th in PPG) while piling up 1,132 yards and nine TDs. Ford, who averaged a terrific 5.4 YPC last season, is capable as a rusher and receiver, and, with rookie Quinshon Judkins dealing with an off-field arrest, could the early portion of 2025 as the Browns' lead back. That would make Ford a viable RB2/flex, assuming he can fend off fourth-round rookie Dylan Sampson.