The Cleveland Browns are inviting D’Onta Foreman to strengthen their running back group and maybe support the team until Nick Chubb returns.
Foreman becomes a part of a Browns running back group that involves Chubb, Jerome Ford, Pierre Strong Jr., and newly signed experienced player Nyheim Hines.
Foreman has moved around among three teams in the last three seasons but has been effective. Last season he started eight games with the Chicago Bears. Foreman gained 425 yards on 109 carries, scoring four times.
His most successful year was in 2022 with the Carolina Panthers. Foreman ran for 914 yards on 203 carries — averaging 4.5 yards per carry — with 5 touchdowns.
Foreman started his career as a third-round pick of the Houston Texans in 2017. He was ranked No. 49 on Pro Football Focus’ list of remaining free agents released on March 18. Foreman finished last season with a solid grade of 74.0 according to PFF.
Browns Yet to Make Move With Nick Chubb
The Browns are expected to revise Chubb’s contract at some point this offseason. The four-time Pro Bowler is expected to be ready at some point next season. But the exact timing for his return is uncertain.
Chubb suffered a severe injury knee injury in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He had both his ACL and MCL repaired during two separate surgeries, with the latest one taking place in November.
Browns general manager Andrew Berry referred to it as the “elephant in the room” during his end-of-season press conference. Chubb will cost $15.8 million against the cap next season. However, he has no guaranteed money left on his deal. If the Browns released Chubb it would result in just $4 million of dead cap.
However, the Browns have no plans to release Chubb, as Berry expressed this offseason. He’ll probably sign an extension with certain incentives to remain in Cleveland and reduce his cap impact. Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com doesn’t believe the Browns are considering Chubb’s return to form as a risky bet.
“The Browns watched Chubb make a superhuman recovery from his devastating knee injury at Georgia, and they’re hopeful he can catch lightning in a bottle twice. Anyone who knows Chubb and his Batman mentality would never bet against him,” Cabot said. “The Browns are counting on Chubb to be ready to play this season, and they expect to see an excellent version of their four-time Pro Bowler.”
Nyheim Hines Excited to Join Browns
Hines was the other running back the Browns signed this offseason. He is expected to be more of a threat catching the ball out of the backfield. He has snagged 240 receptions over his five seasons in the NFL and has carried the ball just 348 times.
Hines started his career as a fourth-round pick of the Indianapolis Colts. He missed all of last season recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in a jet ski accident. Hines is ready to get to work in Cleveland.
“What’s up #DawgPound nyghtmare at your service,” Hines wrote on X. “Thank you for welcoming me to the Land. Excited to get to work.”
Ford was the Browns’ lead-back last season with Chubb sidelined. He registered 813 yards on 204 carries. Kareem Hunt scored the most touchdowns for the team last season but is unlikely to return next season.
