Browns RB Kareem Hunt requested a trade from the team but was told no by Cleveland.

Hunt is entering the final year of his contract and has been looking for a new deal. Hunt is set to make over $6 million this season between his base salary and roster bonus. Hunt has been sitting out drills. Hunt is coming off a season in which he missed nine games due to injuries and Covid-19. As a result, D’Ernest Johnson broke out and became a very solid RB2 behind Nick Chubb. Hunt is currently just inside the top 100 of Underdog ADP and the No. 31 RB. But his absence has meant more opportunities for Johnson. It’s shaping up to be a true committee behind Chubb.

Name to watch: Isiah Pacheco. 7th-round RB (216 pound with 4.3 speed) is lighting up camp. Got Kareem Hunt traits, a gear Hunt didn't have.

Related players: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Jerick McKinnon, Ronald Jones

The Chiefs RB duties could be up for grabs this year as it's not a loaded backfield. The team seemed to go away from CEH at the end of last year in favor of McKinnon, although CEH is getting most of the first team work, according to reports. Pacheco is certainly a name to keep an eye on when the dust settles in KC.

Browns RB Kareem Hunt (ankle) and TE David Njoku (shoulder) are questionable for Week 18 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Browns activated the following from COVID-19 reserve:
DE Jadeveon Clowney
G Drew Forbes
S Ronnie Harrison Jr.
CB Troy Hill
RB Kareem Hunt
DT Malik McDowell
T Jedrick Wills Jr.
LB Mack Wilson
They also placed LB Elijah Lee on the list.

Related players: Nick Chubb, D'Ernest Johnson

Chubb and Johnson have handled the load the last two weeks, and Chubb, especially, has been fantastic. Don't forget, Hunt was dealing with an ankle injury before hitting the COVID list. Reports say the ankle would have kept him out in Week 16, so Hunt is no lock to play in Week 17 as a result.

Browns HC Kevin Stefanski told reporters Wednesday that he expects RB Kareem Hunt (ankle) to miss Week 16 even if he clears COVID-19 protocols.

Related Player: D'Ernest Johnson

It has been an up-and-down season for the former rushing champ. The Browns are fighting for their playoff lives and need him healthy asap.

In his Monday press conference, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters that running back Kareem Hunt (ankle) and cornerback Troy Hill (knee) are both unlikely to play in Week 15.

Related players: Nick Chubb, D'Ernest Johnson

It was said Hunt could have returned to the game so this is maybe a bit of a surprise he's listed as unlikely to go. However, Hunt has one less day with a Saturday game against the Raiders on tap this week. Chubb should get a bulk of the workload with Johnson mixing in as a change of pace and passing-down back.

Browns’ RB Kareem Hunt will undergo a precautionary MRI on his ankle Monday.

Related players: Nick Chubb, D'Ernest Johnson

The rest of the tweet said the team felt he could have returned to the game if needed, so that sounds like good news for Week 15. Johnson saw his work on passing downs and as a change of pace behind Chubb, and that would likely continue if Hunt misses time. Schefter went on to report Hunt, “wanted to try and fight through it," but the Browns did not think they should put him back out there, according to HC Kevin Stefanski.

The Browns like their 1-2 punch at running back, but most of the time, Kareem Hunt takes the field when Nick Chubb goes to the sideline. This week, they’re considering some packages with Chubb and Hunt on the field together.

The Browns have scored a total of just 30 points in their last three games, and Stefanski acknowledged that he has to find ways to put more points on the board. That may involve using both of his running backs.