The Cleveland Browns are going to look a bit different at running back this fall – at least through the opening weeks of the season.

That is because Nick Chubb is still working his way back from the major knee injury that ended his 2023 season early in Week 2. All indications from the team and Chubb is that he will be back at some point, it’s just still early to know when since he has yet to practice after being placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list at the start of training camp.

Related: Cleveland Browns Training Camp Recap: Day 11

In Chubb’s absence, the Browns are rolling with a running back by committee approach headed by third-year running back Jerome Ford, who rush for 813 yards and four touchdowns after Chubb’s injury last season.

There are other aspects to the position than just running the ball, such as blocking and the passing game, which Ford admitted on Thursday is an area where he is still working to improve.

Duce and his leadership have brought some juice to the RB room 🧃 pic.twitter.com/Wc1YPgA3zu

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 8, 2024

That thought was echoed by running backs coach Duce Staley during a media session at training camp – not only for Ford but for the entire position group (quote via a team-provided transcript):

“No doubt. It’s something that he’s getting better with. We talk about it all the time in the room. Not just him, everybody. You gotta be able to protect the quarterback. Of course, you know, every running back wants the ball. They want to run the ball, but it’s all about what you’re doing when you don’t have the ball. Everything from running out play actions and protecting the quarterback. So, we take pride in doing that.”

Staley knows what it takes to play the position at the NFL level after appearing in 114 games across a 10-year career that saw him post three 1,000-yard rushing seasons while playing for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The championship mentality is built when the lights are off pic.twitter.com/mUMekIw3MQ

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 8, 2024

And he is bringing that mentality with him to practice every day as he works to get Ford, D’Onta Foreman, Pierre Strong Jr., and the rest of the group ready:

“We all set the standard in our room. Nothing compromises that standard that we set. So, we’re gonna go to work every day as running backs. We’re gonna turn cracks in the holes. We’re gonna protect like we just talked about. We’re gonna catch the ball, put it away, and finish.

“As far as the run game itself, it’s football, you know what I’m saying? We gonna just impose our will, we’re gonna get behind our good line that we have and we’re gonna run the ball downhill.”

The Browns discovered what life is like without the league’s best running back when Chubb was injured last season. And with no set return date on the books, they will need to do what they can this fall until Chubb is back on the field.

One thing seems certain, however, which is that Staley is going to have whoever is on the field ready to go come game day.