Kareem Hunt aims return vs. Ravens Sunday night: ‘I’m going to come back and bring the fire’ – cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — When Kareem Hunt suffered a calf injury in the loss to the Cardinals Oct. 17th, he thought that was it.

He laid his head back while being carted to the locker room, and looked distraught.

“I didn’t know at the time what it was,’’ he told cleveland.com in a one-on-one interview Tuesday after serving Thanksgiving Dinner to the needy at Feed the Need at Townhall hosted by Baker and Emily Mayfield. “I thought my season could’ve been over.’’

An MRI and other tests the next day revealed that he wouldn’t need surgery, and that he’d be back for the home stretch of the season.

“I was very relieved,’’ he said. “They told me it was like 4-6 weeks. Very relieved.’’

After missing five games, Hunt will be designated to return from injured reserve this week and aims to play Sunday night in Baltimore in the biggest game of the season.

“We’ll see how practice goes, and I’ll make sure I’m feeling great and be able to go out there and give it my all,’’ he said.

It’s the first of two back-to-back games with a bye in between against the 7-3 Ravens, who are in first place in the AFC North. The Browns are last at 6-5, but can change their fortunes and possibly take over the top spot with a pair of victories.

The Bengals are in second place at 6-4, and the Steelers are third at 5-4-1.

“It’s a very big game,’’ Hunt said. “I feel like for us, every game from now on us is playoff game. If we want to make a run, we’ve got to do what we do.’’

With their passing attack tumbling to 25th in the NFL with 205.6 yards per game, the Browns can sure use Hunt, who’s still fourth on the team with 20 receptions for 161 yards. He’s also second behind Nick Chubb with 69 carries, 361 yards rushing, and five rushing TDs.

“I’m just going to come back and the bring the fire and energy I always do,’’ he said. “That’s all I can do.’’

There was some thought that Hunt might rest through the bye next week and return for the second game against the Ravens Dec. 12th, but he appears ready to give it go.

“I’m actually coming along very well,’’ he said. “I’m excited. It’s been a little journey, but I’m feeling pretty good.’’

An inspirational leader of the offense and arguably its best weapon, Hunt had a tough time sitting out and watching the Browns go 3-2 in his absence, with a tough 15-10 loss at home to the Steelers, and a 45-7 beatdown by the Patriots.

“I’ve never had to do something like this before,’’ he said. “It’s tough being injured, being on the sideline and not being able to contribute. So it’s definitely a hard thing. ‘’

In two of the past three games, he’s watched his good friend Chubb, who missed two games with his own calf injury, rush for 137 and 130 yards, respectively, in victories over the Bengals and Lions. Chubb also sat out the 45-7 loss in New England with COVID-19.

“Nick’s been doing awesome, man,’’ he said. “He’s been holding it down for us. I love seeing Nick go out there and ball and do whatever he can to help win and we need that from him, and he’s going to get that from me when I come back.’’

Hunt also knows that Mayfield can use him. The Browns’ embattled quarterback has been fighting through injuries, and is coming off one of the worst games of his career in Sunday’s 13-10 victory over Detroit.

“Baker, he’s going to be fine,’’ Hunt said. “He’s battling a lot of things, injuries and stuff like that. I’m just going to go out there and do everything to help him and make his life easier. The quarterback has a huge job. It’s one of the hardest in the NFL to play.’’

The Ravens are second in run defense with 88.6 yards per game allowed, but are 31st in pass defense with 281.1. If all goes as planned, Hunt will be running through a wall Sunday night.

“Absolutely,’’ he said. “I’m ready to go out there.’’