NFL Rumors: Browns' Jerome Ford Expected to Be Out 1-2 Weeks with Ankle Injury

The Cleveland Browns reportedly have lost their lead running back once again.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Browns leading rusher Jerome Ford was diagnosed with a "low grade, high ankle" sprain in Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts that will sideline him for one to two weeks.

Ford rushed for 74 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries before being forced to exit the game against the Colts. The Browns managed to earn a 39-38 win thanks to a late go-ahead touchdown by veteran running back Kareem Hunt with 15 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

After the Browns lost star running back Nick Chubb for the remainder of the season due to a torn MCL and meniscus in Week 2, Ford assumed the lead-back duties. In six games, he's rushed for 344 yards and two touchdowns on 78 carries while also adding 14 catches for 104 yards and a team-high two receiving touchdowns.

A fifth-round pick in 2022 out of Cincinnati, Ford was primarily deployed as a kick returner during his rookie year. He carried the ball just eight times during the season but had 30 kick returns for 723 yards, an average of 24.1 yards per return.

Without Ford in the lineup, Hunt will take over as lead back for Cleveland. The 28-year-old is averaging a career-low 3.2 yards per carry, but he's reached the end zone three times in four games since re-signing with Cleveland after Chubb's injury.

The Browns (4-2) will be going for their third straight win when they visit the Seattle Seahawks (4-2) in Week 8.