Injuries have come about for the Cleveland Browns in a pretty heavy dose as of late.

The latest one is that backup RB Jerome Ford’s Week 1 status is in doubt with a hamstring issue.

It’s a pretty unfortunate thing to happen to a Browns’ roster that lacks proven running back depth behind their star Nick Chubb.

With the chance that Ford may not play, Cleveland has next to no choice but to bring in more at the position. It won’t be a familiar face like Kareem Hunt, as he’s already believed to have found his next team. The Browns have Demetric Felton, John Kelly Jr., and Hassan Hall on the roster — but giving any of these three the backup job may not be a smart move.

There are a few running backs on the free agency market that are worth a look for the Browns. As it stands, there are two I think are pretty realistic, as well as one dream scenario.

J.D. McKissic

When it comes to cost and what he can do, J.D. McKissic may be the option that makes the most sense for the Browns.

McKissic is a pass-catching running back first and foremost. The former Washington Commanders’ back would give you a second running back that can play on third downs and give you some of what Hunt did, in terms of being a receiving back.

McKissic played in just eight games last season because of a neck injury and carried the ball 22 times for 95 yards. He added another 173 yards in the receiving department. If McKissic was the guy, Cleveland would keep perhaps John Kelly Jr. around as the third guy to run between the tackles.

Leonard Fournette

If Cleveland wants to go get a proven veteran that should still have a little left in the tank, this is the one. Fournette’s production as a runner has dropped off but his receiving capabilities are there.

Last season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Fournette ran for 668 yards at just 3.5 yards per carry. But he added 73 catches for 523 receiving yards to the Bucs’ offense. Fournette has just under 1,000 yards receiving combined in the last two seasons.

After six seasons in the NFL, contracts are coming close to an end for Fournette, likely. The Browns could give him one and he would give them a proven guy that can handle RB2 duties.

Dalvin Cook

This is the pipe dream. Cook was considered an all-but-fine deal to the New York Jets, though it’s not happened yet.

Cook is still a starter-level player in the NFL and a pretty good one at that. If the Browns ever had any interest in DeAndre Hopkins as some said, they should take a look here at a position that makes more sense. The money would be significantly cheaper than the $13 million APY that Hopkins received, for sure. Cleveland could afford it on a one or two-year deal if they really wanted to.

Cook has rushed for 1,100 yards for each of the four seasons and he never had less than 224 receiving yards during that time. Pairing Chubb and Cook together would give the Browns the best running back duo in the NFL and it wouldn’t be close.

Cook is the least likely of the three and would be a long shot. Nonetheless, the Browns need to add another running back and they should at least sniff around the idea of one of these three. 

Browns RB Jerome Ford’s status for week 1 against Bengals in doubt

Cleveland may be without their backup running back against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Featured image via Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports.