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Browns activate RB John Kelly from COVID-19 list
Cleveland Browns running back John Kelly Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Browns activate RB John Kelly from COVID-19 list

Fresh off a 45-17 beatdown at the hands of the New England Patriots and having lost four of their last six contests , the Cleveland Browns are desperate for a win. They're not sure yet of the status of top rusher Nick Chubb — who was still on the COVID-19/reserve list as of late Thursday morning — but they'll be getting back at least one of their trio of running backs from the list.

Kelly joined Chubb and Demetric Felton on the COVID-19/reserve list and missed last week's loss to New England. With Kareem Hunt still on injured reserve, that left D'Ernest Johnson as the only healthy man in the backfield. Despite the blowout defeat, Johnson was productive, gaining 99 yards on the ground and 58 more through the air on 19 carries and seven receptions, respectively.

When both Chubb and Hunt were forced to miss the Browns' "Thursday Night Football" win over the Denver Broncos in Week 7 due to injury, Johnson had a career night in his first start, recording 22 rushing attempts for 146 yards and one touchdown, as well as two receptions for 22 yards. With Chubb back on the field in Weeks 8 and 9 though, Johnson reverted to a backup role and had just 12 carries for 38 yards and one touchdown.

Despite missing three games this season, Chubb still leads Cleveland in carries (120), rushing yards (721) and rushing touchdowns (six). Hunt hasn't played since Week 6 and has already been ruled out for Week 11, but he remains second on the team in all three categories at 69, 361 and five, respectively.

Johnson has played in all 10 games, made two starts and has 56 carries for 294 yards and two scores, while Felton has just three carries (but 13 receptions) in nine games. Kelly has only two carries in three games played.

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