Head coach Kevin Stefanski gave a two-word answer yesterday when he was asked if the Cleveland Browns would have running back Nick Chubb available against the New Orleans Saints on Christmas Eve: “Hope so.” And now after missing his second practice in a row today, there is reason to be concerned about the status of Chubb, who is rehabbing through a foot injury. If he is not good to go, Kareem Hunt will step in for a great deal of the workload, with either Jerome Ford or D’Ernest Johnson serving in relief. Saints Must Halt Browns in Old-Fashioned Week 16 Battle. The Saints performance against the run is the most surprisingly disappointing aspect of their game in 2022. Their slim postseason hopes depend on whether they can reverse that trend in Week 16 at Cleveland. A 5-9 New Orleans Saints team heads north to face the 6-8 Cleveland Browns on Christmas Eve. The Saints can still win the NFC South, but need a win here to keep any realistic hopes alive. New Orleans was expected to have one of the NFL's best defenses in 2022. They've had their moments, especially over the last month, but have also suffered crucial breakdowns in key situations. The Saints rank 11th in total defense, giving up an average of 327.6 yards per game. However, they rank last in turnovers forced (10) and have struggled on third downs. Most concerning is the failures of a run defense that dominated opponents from 2018 through 2021. They'll take on a physical Cleveland team that got QB Deshaun Watson back from suspension three weeks ago. The Browns average 362.6 total yards per game, ranking 8th in the league. While their passing attack has been erratic, they've had one of the NFL's most consistent ground games. Inclement weather is expected for the game, likely increasing the importance of the running game. The Saints performance against the run is the most surprisingly disappointing aspect of their game in 2022. Can they reverse that trend to keep slim postseason hopes alive? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices