Is Kareem Hunt Playing Tonight? Is D'Ernest Johnson Worth Starting?

There is a mammoth COVID-19 outbreak with the Cleveland Browns. The Browns reported quarterback Baker Mayfield is among 14 Browns players on the Reserve/COVID-19 list along with head coach Kevin Stefanski.

In Week 15, the NFL decided to flex the matchup so the Las Vegas Raiders will visit First Energy Stadium this Saturday to take on the Cleveland Browns at 4:30 pm ET. Besides the enormous impact that the outbreak will have on this matchup, the Browns could be facing the Raiders without their dynamic running back Kareem Hunt. Hunt suffered an ankle injury in the Browns win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

Is Kareem Hunt playing this week against the Raiders? Will D'Ernest Johnson step up to fill the void? Is D'Ernest Johnson worth picking up and should fantasy managers start him in Week 15? Below, we take a quick look at the updated status for Kareem Hunt and attempt to answer these questions and their fantasy implications.

Is Kareem Hunt Playing in Week 15 Against the Las Vegas Raiders?

UPDATE: It was announced on Friday afternoon that the Raiders-Browns game has been postponed until Monday due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Stay tuned for any changes with players being active and passing COVID-19 protocols in time for Monday.

Kareem Hunt is expected to miss their Week 15 contest against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday. In addition to being listed as a DNP in practice reports with his ankle issue, he was also then added to the COVID-19 list along with several other Browns players:

This is an update from the original news that was reported below, when the game was still scheduled for Saturday.

Week 15 Status For Kareem Hunt

The Cleveland Browns came with a victory against AFC North rival Baltimore Ravens in Week 14 but lost a key member of their offense when running back. Kareem Hunt exited the contest after he went down with an ankle injury.

Hunt was limited to a season-low 20 offensive snaps and left the game early in the first half, and didn't return after four touches in the much-needed win against the Ravens. There were reports that he could have returned but now is listed as week-to-week by the Browns.

Hunt, who just returned from a calf injury that he suffered in Week 6, has rushed for 386 yards and five touchdowns while adding 174 yards on 22 receptions in nine games this season. The former Toledo Rocket developed a formidable duo with Nick Chubb in the Browns backfield. Hunt was an excellent receiver out of the backfield and was pivotal to the Browns' offense, specifically on third down. Chubb should see an increase in touches, but who will step up to fill the void of Hunt missing in the Browns offense?

Should I Start D'Ernest Johnson and Is He Worth Picking Up?

The Cleveland Browns are in capable hands in the backfield with D' Ernest Johnson as the backup. On Saturday, the Browns will look for Johnson to step up when called upon against the Raiders. He will likely see 5-10 touches with upside for more.

Johnson appeared in the fantasy spotlight when he was called upon to make his first NFL start in a Thursday night game against the Denver Broncos in Week 7. With Chubb and Hunt both sidelined, and playing against one of the best rushing defenses in the league at the time, Johnson was voted the FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week for Week 7.

The 2018 undrafted free agent finished with 24 touches for 168 scrimmage yards with a score and a career-high 24.8 fantasy points. Johnson exhibits explosiveness and a great ability to change direction, ranking sixth with a 37.7% Juke Rate.

The Browns possess one of the best rushing attacks in the league and we should see plenty of touches for both Chubb and Johnson on Saturday. Johnson could be leading the rushing attack for plenty of teams in the league right now. Combine his talent with Kevin Stepanski running schemes and one of the best offensive lines in football and there is no reason that the Browns run the ball down their opponents' throats weekly.

Fantasy managers could be understandably nervous placing Johnson in your fantasy lineups this week. Your fantasy lives are on the line, but in deeper leagues where the options continue to decrease, he could be considered a starter in this matchup. Johnson is a must-add for fantasy managers regardless of your current roster construction.

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