Two running backs who spent part of their college careers at Alabama will have to carry a bigger load for their NFL teams for the remainder of the season, even though they are already top rushers.
For the Detroit Lions, Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery shared work as Sonic and Knuckles’ backfield. But Montgomery injured his knee on Sunday
For the Cleveland Browns, Jerome Ford served as Nick Chubb’s backup. But Chubb had a broken foot on Sunday.
Ford has 451 yards and two touchdowns on 87 carries and has 32 catches for 186 yards in 12 games in 2024. A knee injury suffered last season by Chubb caused the four-time Pro Bowl running back to miss 21 games. Chubb was in his eighth game of 2024 when he was injured Sunday during a 21-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
“It’s really hard to see.” Ford said. “To see all the work he put in to get on the field and then have to turn around and have another injury like this, it’s sad to see. And I know the type of guy Nick is . He has just returned to work.
A back with breakaway ability who had a 45-yard kickoff return against the Chiefs, Ford scored Cleveland’s only touchdown against Kansas City on a 62-yard run.
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Over the final three games of the Browns season, Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski said he wanted Ford to “keep building on (Sunday).” I thought he was really good. Obviously it gave us a spark in the kick return game, it gave us a spark on offense, so it’s just building on that. I thought his pass protection was good as well. Another young player who will still have some opportunities.
The Browns face the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday at noon CST at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.
“I just focus on the details, everyone is on the same page, all 11 guys have been doing our job since day one.” Ford said on the prospect of breaking another long one. “The offensive line allows us to hit the right holes and be in the right spots, the wide receivers block on the edge and the quarterback makes the right calls and the coaches call the right plays, so when we hit on all cylinders like that, it’s really hard to stop us.
On Monday, Lions coach Dan Campell said Montgomery’s knee injury would require surgery. Now they’re not so sure, but he won’t be back Sunday, when Detroit plays the Chicago Bears at noon at Soldier Field in Chicago.
“We have a lot of confidence in Gibbs” Campbell said.. “He continued to improve as the season went on, and when given the opportunity, he made a lot of plays. He made some big plays for us (Sunday). He brings the explosive element. He’s getting better in the passing game and then you see what he can do in the running game, so we have a lot of confidence.
“I think for him we’ll have to use and maximize the reps we have for him and be careful not to give him too many. We still have to be able to be smart with him. But we need him, and that’s the problem.
Gibbs has 1,047 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 186 carries and 395 yards and three touchdowns on 39 receptions in 2024. Montgomery has 775 yards and 12 touchdowns on 185 carries and 36 receptions for 341 yards.
“We have a great group of guys who can take over. » Gibbs said.. “I think we’ll pick up where we left off. It was hard losing D-Mo. I don’t know how long he’ll be out, but for now we’ve got him, so we’ll play for him.
While Ford and the Browns are 3-11 and on schedule, Gibbs and the Lions are 12-2 and fighting for the NFC North title and the No. 1 playoff seed in the NFC.
Gibbs hopes to carry a winning mindset into Sunday’s game, even without Montgomery.
“There is nothing different” Gibbs said.. “I’ve been doing this my whole life, so I don’t see things any differently. …
“My goal is to win, and so if that means not getting as many carries or getting all the carries, it doesn’t really matter to me. As long as we win, I’m fine.
Ford played at Alabama during the 2018 and 2019 seasons. He rushed for 151 yards and three touchdowns on 31 carries and caught two passes for 11 yards while playing behind future NFL running backs Damien Harris, Josh Jacobs , Najee Harris and Brian Robinson Jr. Ford was traded to Cincinnati, where he played two seasons before joining the Browns in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Gibbs came to Alabama from Georgia Tech. In 2022 for the Crimson Tide, Gibbs ran for 926 yards and seven touchdowns on 151 carries and caught 44 passes for 444 yards and three touchdowns. He left Alabama as a first-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.
