Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt Injury Update Could Boost Demetric Felton and D'Ernest Johnson Week 7 Fantasy Outlook

Cleveland Browns running backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt are both nursing injuries heading into a short week. Chubb's status is in doubt after failing to suit up in Week 6, and Hunt picked up a calf injury while operating as Cleveland's lead back on Sunday.

Browns’ RB Kareem Hunt is is out at least three weeks with the calf injured he suffered Sunday, per source. “Hopefully not much longer then that but we will see,” said source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 18, 2021

The injury statuses for both RBs could boost the fantasy outlook for Demetric Felton and D'Ernest Johnson in Week 7.

From @GMFB: #Browns QB Baker Mayfield is planning to play through his still-ailing left shoulder (labral tear), while Cleveland may be without its two top RBs -- Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt -- for Thursday night. pic.twitter.com/fQivshFSqo
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 18, 2021

Demetric Felton Fantasy

Felton may be in line to assume Hunt's role in the offense given his use as a pass-catcher this season.

Felton hasn't logged a carry for the Browns in the first six games, but he's turned 9 targets into 8 receptions, 90 yards and 1 TD. Hunt has handled most Cleveland's receiving opportunities out of the backfield, averaging 4.3 targets over the first five games.

Hunt also recorded 11.0 rushing attempts per contest in a complementary role to Chubb before taking over in Week 6. He saw a season-high 14 attempts (plus 3 targets) before being knocked out in the fourth quarter, which Felton may be in line to replicate if he's featured as the primary back on Thursday.

The potential for Felton to be the RB1 in an offense centered around its rushers makes him a worthy waiver wire addition ahead of Week 7.

D'Ernest Johnson Fantasy

Fellow backup D'Ernest Johnson could be a sneaky Week 7 add as well. After minimal use over the first five weeks, his snap share jumped to 20% on Sunday with Hunt's injury troubles.

It appears he's the preferred rushing option over Felton, given his 3 attempts to Felton's zero so far this year. He also recorded the Browns' lone rushing attempt after Hunt left the game on Sunday.

There's room for both backs to see work on the ground on Thursday night. Hunt and Chubb averaged 29.0 rushing attempts combined over the first five weeks. Plus, quarterback Baker Mayfield's shoulder injury may make the run game even more vital to the Browns' gameplan.

If Johnson assumes most of Chubb's role (18 rushes per game this season), he may be a huge pickup for managers who need RB help in Week 7.

That being said, these inexperienced running backs will face a Denver Broncos defense allowing the the fourth-fewest PPR points to the position (17.12) this season. They're worth taking a gamble on, but it's not without risks given the matchup.

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Isaiah De Los Santos is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Isaiah De Los Santos also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username zayyy05328. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.

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