Jerome Ford‘s season is over. The Browns announced that they’ve placed the veteran running back on IR with a shoulder injury. Center Ethan Pocic is also going on IR, an obvious move after he tore his Achilles in Week 14.
A Brown since they chose him in the fifth round of the 2022 draft, Ford was at his most productive in his second and third seasons. After totaling only eight carries as a rookie, Ford combined for 1,378 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 308 attempts from 2023-24. As a pass catcher, he added 81 receptions, 544 yards, and five scores (all in 2023) during that 31-game span.
This season will go down as a major step backward in usage and production for Ford, particularly on the ground. Rookie second-rounder Quinshon Judkins took over as the Browns’ lead back, which left Ford with a mere 24 carries for 73 yards in 13 games. While Ford did catch 26 passes, he chipped in just 103 yards through the air.
The emergence of Judkins left Ford as a potential trade candidate leading up to the Nov. 4 deadline. He ended up staying put, but Ford could find a new team in the coming months. Ford’s due to reach free agency in March, though it won’t be ideal timing after an injury-limited season in which he rarely touched the ball.
Along with putting Ford and Pocic on IR, the Browns made a few practice squad changes on Wednesday. They signed center Darrian Dalcourt and defensive tackle Keith Cooper. To make room for those two, the Browns released defensive end Ochaun Mathis and linebacker Mark Robinson from their taxi squad.