The last couple of weeks have not been kind to the Cleveland Browns, either in the win column or in the training room. Already without wide receiver Jarvis Landry and running back Nick Chubb, the Browns saw running back Kareem Hunt, quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. get hurt in Sunday’s loss.
Hunt will likely go on IR with his calf injury and some reports Monday said he could miss up to six weeks. He ran for 66 yards before the injury Sunday and also had three catches for 12 yards. On the season, he has 523 total yards and five touchdowns, and Sunday was his first game as the feature back with Chubb out.
There is a chance Chubb could play this week, but the Browns are on short rest as they face Denver on Thursday. They were still waiting for word on the injuries to Mayfield and Beckham, but both were listed as DNP for Monday’s workout.
The Browns, who have lost two in a row after starting 3-1, are -3 at home against Denver for Thursday night. Denver meanwhile started the season 3-0 but have lost three straight heading into Thursday’s contest.
Garoppolo Coming Back
The San Francisco 49ers were on their bye week, and as they return to practice, they could be ready to make another quarterback change. Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a calf injury earlier this month, and the Niners went to rookie Trey Lance. But the first-round pick was also banged up, injuring his knee, and Lance didn’t practice on Monday.
After starting 2-0, the 49ers have lost three straight games, falling to the Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, and Arizona Cardinals. Lance was just 15-of-29 for 192 yards and an interception in the 17-10 loss to Arizona. He also ran for 89 yards to lead the Niners rushing attack but had to leave late in the game with a knee sprain.
Graoppolo had a great start to the season, leading San Francisco to wins over Detroit and Philadelphia. However, he was injured again and has now missed 24 of 53 potential starts in a 49ers uniform.
San Francisco returns from the bye week to a nationally televised game as they host the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday Night football. The 49ers are -3.5 against the 2-4 Colts.
Peterson Injured in Minnesota
Minnesota may be without their top cornerback Patrick Peterson for a while after the veteran Pro Bowler limped off with a hamstring injury Sunday. After helping to shut down the Carolina Panthers passing game for three quarters, Peterson was injured on a play at the sideline in the fourth quarter.
Peterson will be placed on IR, so he has to miss at least three games, but the injury could keep him out even longer. The Vikings held on to win Sunday in Carolina with a touchdown in overtime and are now 3-3 after starting 0-2. Minnesota is two games behind the 5-1 Packers in the NFC North.
Minnesota has this week off, a nicely timed bye week with running back Dalvin Cook also looking to get healthy. The Vikings will likely scour the waiver wires to find a replacement for their big free-agent signing. They will face four MVP caliber quarterbacks in a row after the bye with games against the Cowboys, Ravens, Chargers, and Packers.
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