NFL suspends Browns running back Kareem Hunt for eight games

It was a matter of when, not if, and Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt has been suspended for eight games by the NFL.

The Cleveland Browns have been very active at the start of the new league year. They also signed running back Kareem Hunt in February, knowing he’d be facing a suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. On Friday morning, it was announced Hunt will be suspended for the first eight games of the 2019 season.

The Kansas City Chiefs released Hunt during last season, when video emerged of an incident where he kicked a woman. He was also apparently not fully forthright with the Chiefs about the incident, further pushing them to cut ties with the league’s leading rusher as a rookie in 2017.

Hunt will not appeal the suspension, and he confirmed as much via a statement released by the team. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Browns had expected as much as a 10-game ban when they signed Hunt. He will be able to participate in the team’s offseason program, as is customary for suspended players.

https://twitter.com/Browns/status/1106559768741715969

Hunt is a Cleveland native, and Browns’ general manager John Dorsey was the Chiefs’ general manager that drafted him. Even with the rust factor in play, Hunt should be a notable addition to a backfield led by Nick Chubb over a half a season. A Browns’ offense that looks dangerous anyway stands to be even better at the most important time of the season.

Trade rumors have surrounded passing-down back Duke Johnson since the moment Hunt was signed. Now, barring another signing or a mid-round draft pick being used on a running back, Johnson should remain with the Browns into the 2019 season.

The NFL has shown more uniform consistency in doling out suspensions recently. Eight games always seemed most likely for Hunt, and that’s what has come.down.