There is now a growing possibility that the Cleveland Browns may be without running back Nick Chubb for their upcoming regular season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Chubb came away from the Browns’ Week 17 road loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers with a rib injury. Following the result, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski noted Chubb was “banged up” early in the game and “needed some rest.” The fourth-year running back finished the first half with a mere four carries, although he went on to tally for 58 rushing yards in the contest.

The Browns have opted to take remain conservative with Chubb’s lingering injury. He did feature in the team’s scheduled practices on both Wednesday and Thursday, but he was a limited participant in each session.

Stefanski is also keeping a close eye on backup running back Kareem Hunt. He has not played in a single game since the Browns’ Week 14 home win over the Baltimore Ravens due to an ankle injury. As with Chubb, Hunt has also been limited in practice over the past couple of days.

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The Browns will have one more practice session this week before their upcoming AFC North clash with the Bengals.

If Stefanski opts to hold out Chubb and Hunt for Week 18, then D’Ernest Johnson will be called upon to be the feature back for the first time this season. He has so far totaled for 411 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the campaign.

The Browns head into Week 18 ranking fourth in rushing yards per game with a 141.6 average.