BEREA, Ohio — Tight end David Njoku and running back Jerome Ford were among seven Browns players idle on Wednesday of the Raiders game.
The Browns would be short at running back if Ford can’t play, because Pierre Strong Jr. was also idle with a hamstring, and sat out Sunday’s 21-15 loss to the Giants.
The Browns are hopeful that Ford can play, especially because the running game has struggled. He rushed for 37 yards on 10 carries against the Giants, including only four on four carries in the first half, when the Browns totaled 7.
The Raiders are also 29th against the run with 152.7 yards allowed per game.
As for Njoku, Kevin Stefanski wasn’t ready to rule him out, but it wasn’t a great sign that he didn’t practice on Wednesday. The Browns can certainly use him in the challenged passing game, which is 30th in the NFL with 152.3 yards per game.
Njoku has missed the past two games after suffering what’s believed to be a high ankle sprain in the opener against the Cowboys.
“He’s gonna do some work this week, so we’ll see,” Kevin Stefanski said.
The other four players who didn’t practice on Wednesday were offensive tackles Jed Wills Jr. (knee) and Jack Conklin (hamsting), Myles Garrett (Achilles, thigh, feet), and Jordan Hicks (ribs, elbow).
Two of the Browns injured offensive tackles in Dawand Jones (knee) and James Hudson III (shoulder) were limited.
Nick Chubb can be activated next week
Chubb (knee) can be activated off the Physically Unable to Perform list next week, and if so, the Browns would have 21 days in which to add him to the 53-man roster. If they open that window, it means they expect Chubb to be back within the next three weeks.
“We’ll see when we get to next week,” Stefanski said. “He’s doing well.”
The Raiders’ Maxx Crosby idle on Wednesday
Crosby, who’s been struggling with a high ankle sprain, sat out Wednesday’s practice. But he didn’t look much different to Stefanski in a loss to the Panthers on Sunday.
“His motor is unbelievable,” Stefanski said. “He rarely comes off the field, but just gives you everything he has. He’s long, he’s athletic, he plays through the whistle. He’s a great, great player.”
Crosby finished sixth in the NFL with 14.5 sacks last season, a half more than Garrett and Dallas’ Micah Parsons.
Joel Bitonio an option at left tackle
Bitonio, who slid over a spot to left tackle against the Giants, is an option to start there on Sunday.
“We’ll see,” Stefanski said.
He also hasn’t ruled out Wills or Conklin, who suffered the hamstring injury on Friday and was scratched on Saturday.
Jordan Hicks a wait-and-see
Stefanski hopes middle linebacker Hicks (ribs, elbow) can rally for Sunday.
“He’s played really good football for us,” he said. “He’s excellent off the field, provides great leadership. We’ll see how this week goes.”
