Freshly signed running back Kareem Hunt will miss the first eight games of the 2019 season for the Cleveland Browns. Hunt is suspended by the NFL for his off-field battery incident in a Cleveland hotel while a member of the Kansas City Chiefs.
However, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell seems open to the idea of letting Hunt be around the team during the latter part of his suspension. That’s not typical for a player under suspension, but Goodell laid out why he might allow it.
“I left open the door that maybe for a portion of the suspension that I would allow (Hunt) access back into the (Browns) facility in an earlier stage,” Goodell said during a news conference at the NFL owners meetings. “We have done that frequently in the context of longer suspensions in the best interest of the player, so that a player can adjust back in, have the opportunity to get back into the workout routine, including practices, potentially.”
Potentially is the key word. How it plays out depends on Hunt’s conduct and progress as he seeks help with his issues.
“But a lot of that will be dependent on consistency with things we agreed to when I met with Kareem,” Goodell continued. “What we laid out and what we agreed to as far as using the resources of the league and the Players Association to make sure that he is making better decisions going forward, and that was very clearly stated. I expect that will be the foundation of any decision I make on that point.”
Allowing Hunt to get involved with the team during his suspension would only help get the running back up to speed on the scheme and more comfortable in the locker room and meeting room with his teammates. It does not appear there is any chance for the on-field suspension to be shortened.
