National Football League

Kareem Hunt reportedly re-signing with Browns in wake of Nick Chubb injury

Updated Sep. 25, 2023 8:46 p.m. ET

The Browns are bringing back a familiar face to fill their need for a starting running back in the wake of Nick Chubb's season-ending injury — Kareem Hunt.

The 28-year-old Hunt, who had remained a free agent and never signed with a team last offseason, is reportedly rejoining the Browns on a one-year deal worth up to $4 million. The reunion comes two days after Chubb sustained a major knee injury during Cleveland's 26-22 loss to the Steelers on Monday night. ESPN was first to report the signing.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed Tuesday that Chubb will miss the rest of the year after undergoing surgery.

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Hunt spent the last four seasons with the Browns, acting as a high-end backup and change-of-pace back to complement Chubb. Thus, he is extremely familiar with Stefanski's system. Though Chubb had taken on an increasingly bigger role in recent years, Hunt still rushed for 468 yards and three touchdowns and added 210 receiving yards and a touchdown catch in 2022, while playing all 17 of the Browns' games.

Through six total NFL seasons with the Browns and Chiefs, Hunt has rushed for 4,025 yards (averaging 4.5 yards per carry) and 31 touchdowns while catching 211 passes for 1,806 receiving yards and 17 more touchdowns.

Chubb was expected to play a major role in the Browns' playoff hopes in 2023, coming off his fourth straight Pro Bowl appearance. Now, it appears a familiar face will fill his shoes as Cleveland's lead running back for the remainder of the year.