Who Should I Start? Jerome Ford or Pierre Strong Jr.

Thursday, January 2, 2:02 PM

Cleveland Browns running backs Jerome Ford (ankle) and Pierre Strong Jr. (concussion) have both been ruled out for the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. Ford sprained his ankle in the Week 17 loss to the Miami Dolphins and will be unavailable to play in the final game of the season. With Nick Chubb (foot) getting a late start in 2024 while recovering from a gruesome knee injury he suffered in 2023, Ford opened 2024 as Cleveland's RB1 and will finish the year as their leading rusher with 104 rushing attempts for 565 yards (5.4 yards per carry) and a team-high-tying three rushing touchdowns. With both Ford and Strong out this weekend, D'Onta Foreman will be in play as a low-upside RB3/flex for fantasy managers as the team's lead back. John Kelly should serve as his backup.

Wednesday, January 1, 3:32 PM

Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. (concussion) missed a second straight day of practice this week on Wednesday. Strong suffered a concussion in the Week 17 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday and is now in the league's concussion protocol. With two straight DNPs this week and a meaningless Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens on a short week on Saturday, it's looking unlikely that the 26-year-old will suit up for the last game of the season. In addition to Strong, Jerome Ford (ankle) has yet to practice this week and could also be out this weekend. If both Ford and Strong are unavailable for the Browns, D'Onta Foreman would most likely see the lion's share of work in the backfield in a bad Browns offense, with John Kelly in line for backup duties for Cleveland.