Cleveland Browns star running back Nick Chubb will miss Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots due to his positive test for COVID-19, coach Kevin Stefanski said Friday.
Chubb tested positive earlier this week along with fellow running back Demetric Felton. Stefanski said Felton also will miss the contest.
With Chubb out and Kareem Hunt (calf) still on injured reserve, D’Ernest Johnson will handle the bulk of the workload in the backfield.
Johnson made his first career start against the Denver Broncos on Oct. 21 and rumbled for 146 yards on 22 carries.
“It is definitely a good feeling to know that there is a guy who has been productive really every time he has touched the ball for us,” offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said of Johnson.
“I feel very confident he will come out and perform for us like he has in the past if he needs to.”
Overall, Johnson has carried the ball 37 times for 195 yards and two touchdowns this season. He is a third-year pro from South Florida.
Chubb, 25, leads the team in carries (120), rushing yards (721) and rushing touchdowns (six) in seven games this season.
A two-time Pro Bowler, Chubb has rushed for 4,278 yards with 34 touchdowns in 51 career games since being selected by the Browns in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
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Felton, 23, has three rushes for 16 yards while playing in nine games this season. He was selected by the Browns in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Also, defensive end Takkarist McKinley (groin) was ruled out and cornerback Greedy Williams (shoulder) is questionable.
–Field Level Media