CLEVELAND — Browns running backs Nick Chubb and Demetric Felton have been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Patriots due to positive COVID-19 tests. 

The running backs are required to have two negative COVID-19 tests 24 hours apart before returning to the team. The Browns will also be without Kareem Hunt who continues to recover from a calf injury.

Sunday’s game marks the second time the Browns will be without their leading running backs in Chubb and Hunt. Like against Denver, D’Ernest Johnson is expected to get the start at tailback on Sunday. 

“We have talked about him over the course of the last few games, and he showed in that Denver game where he had to carry the load and did a nice job. Our expectations for that room do not change,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. 

Regardless, losing depth at a position like running back will be a tough challenge for the Browns. Stefanski did his best to put a positive spin on the situation.

“I think it is really any position you can look at and say you are going to get into your depth at some point in the season because that is the nature of this beast. It is the next man up mentality,” Stefanski said. “The guys have proven to do that over the course of this season and last season. Whoever is available to us, that is who we will use.”

Despite knowing he’ll have to carry quite a load for the Browns, Johnson said he is preparing for Sunday’s game the same as he would for any other. 

“Right now, I am just playing my role,” Johnson said. “Whatever they have me doing, I just try to go out there and do it to the best of my ability. If it is coming in on short downs, third downs or whatever, I just have to go out there and make a play for the team. That is my biggest key.”