Oct 19, 2021 3 min read

The NFL’s top rushing team has run into major trouble.

Browns star back Nick Chubb will miss his second straight game with a calf injury, leaving Cleveland without its two best backs Thursday night against the Denver Broncos.

Chubb was ruled out Tuesday by coach Kevin Stefanski before practice. He also didn’t play against Arizona on Sunday, when running back Kareem Hunt suffered a calf injury that could sideline him for more than a month.

Hunt was placed on injured reserve – meaning he will miss at least three games – along with rookie linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.

The Browns lead the league in rushing, averaging 165 yards per game. While Chubb and Hunt are recovering, D’Ernest Johnson will step in as Cleveland’s primary back and make his first start Thursday. He has just three carries for 11 yards this season.

Baker Mayfield wants to tough it out.

The Browns quarterback said he expects to play Thursday despite a painful left shoulder injury that has worsened since he hurt it a month ago while trying to make a tackle.

Ravens put Stanley on IR: The Baltimore Ravens put tackle Ronnie Stanley on injured reserve Tuesday.

Stanley spent the latter half of last season on IR as well because of an ankle injury, and he’s played only in the season opener this year.

“At this point in time, my ankle isn’t where it should be,” Stanley said in a statement. “This is the best decision not only for my health, but also for the team long term. I look forward to supporting my team from the sideline this season and coming back fully healthy in 2022.”

Stanley has been a regular starter for the Ravens since beginning his NFL career in 2016. Baltimore traded tackle Orlando Brown to the Kansas City Chiefs in the offseason for draft picks, obviously not anticipating that Stanley’s recovery would go the way it has.

The Ravens also promoted running back Le’Veon Bell from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.

Cowboys safety arrested: Dallas Cowboys safety Damontae Kazee was arrested early Tuesday on suspicion of driving while intoxicated in a Dallas suburb, police said.

The Colony police Sgt. Aaron Woodard said Kazee was booked on a Class B misdemeanor. Kazee was released around midday after posting $2,500 bond, Woodard said.

Kazee was pulled over in the suburb next to Frisco, the location of team headquarters about 30 miles north of Dallas. Kazee is in his first season with the Cowboys after signing as a free agent.

The 28-year-old has started all six games for the Cowboys (5-1), who have won five consecutive games.