Nick Chubb helped power the Browns to a big divisional win Sunday, cruising for 137 yards and two touchdowns against the Bengals. But he might be unavailable when Cleveland returns in Week 10 against the Patriots, testing positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, as ESPN's Adam Schefter reported. Chubb is still eligible to suit up if he logs consecutive negative COVID tests 24 hours apart ahead of Sunday's game, but for now, he'll join fellow backs Demetric Felton and John Kelly on the reserve/COVID-19 list, leaving the Browns with just one active running back going into the new week.
Felton, who's seen limited action as a receiver out of the backfield, also tested positive Tuesday, per ESPN; while Kelly, who was promoted from the practice squad in October, landed on COVID reserve Monday. With No. 2 back Kareem Hunt still on injured reserve while recovering from a calf issue, D'Ernest Johnson is the lone remaining running back confirmed available for Sunday. He's since been deemed a close contact of both Chubb and Felton but is vaccinated and tested negative Tuesday.
The Browns could look to add insurance at the position ahead of Week 10, considering they don't have any running backs on their practice squad, either. Fullbacks Andy Janovich and Johnny Stanton, the latter of whom is on the practice squad, could also be candidates for an uptick in action in the event Chubb cannot return in time for the Patriots.
Johnson, undrafted in 2018 and with the Browns since 2019, exploded when called upon earlier this year, rushing for 146 yards and a touchdown in his first-career start while filling in for the injured Chubb in Week 7. He was more limited the last two weeks with Chubb back in the lineup, totaling 12 carries for just 38 yards.
