The Cleveland Browns expect RB Nick Chubb to make his season debut in Week 7, but what about another veteran back on the club’s roster?
D’Onta Foreman is dealing with an injury situation of his own heading into the Browns’ Sunday matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. What’s his status for Week 7?
Week 7 Injury Update for Browns RB D’Onta Foreman
Foreman ended up with a relatively significant role in Cleveland’s Week 6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Starting running back Jerome Ford limped off the field after suffering a hamstring injury early in the first quarter of Sunday’s game. Ford never returned, so Foreman and Pierre Strong Jr. had to carry the load.
Foreman played 20 offensive snaps and received 10 carries, his second-best mark of the season in both categories. He produced 31 rushing yards while adding 16 yards on two receptions.
However, Foreman did get a bit banged up. He’s now battling a groin injury and was listed as a limited participant for Cleveland’s practices on Wednesday and Thursday. However, he was upgraded to a full practice on Friday and carries no injury designation into Sunday’s game vs. the Bengals.
#Browns #Bengals injury report for Friday and game status: pic.twitter.com/QIGD4jHR2w
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot)
D’Onta Foreman Fantasy Analysis
With Foreman set to suit up in Week 7, will he be a viable fantasy asset?
Ford is out on Sunday after missing practice all week. Head coach Kevin Stefanski labeled him week to week, the sort of language that suggests his absence could stretch beyond Sunday as well.
Ford has played at least 50% of Cleveland’s snaps in four of five healthy games. His absence would theoretically create a role for Foreman — if it weren’t for Chubb’s pending return.
Reports had suggested Chubb was targeting a Week 7 return, and the Browns running back confirmed that timeline himself in a Players’ Tribune essay. He’s been on the PUP list since suffering a gruesome knee injury last September but will make his season debut against the Bengals on Sunday after practicing in full all week.
However, it’s hard to imagine Stefanski giving Chubb a full workload in his first game in over a calendar year. Yes, Chubb is a physical marvel who is the league’s best RB at full health. But fantasy managers can expect the Browns to exude caution with Chubb, especially in what’s become a lost season.
There’s reason to think Foreman could be in line for 10-15 touches against an appetizing Bengals defense. Cincinnati has been one of the most forgiving matchups for running backs this year; they’ve allowed 146 rushing yards per game, fifth-most in the NFL.
Still, the Browns’ offense has been among the league’s worst. Scoring opportunities could be few and far between, while Foreman is rarely involved in the passing game. He’s just the RB51 in PFN’s Week 7 RB rankings.
