Browns Nation News And Notes (12/7/21)

A general view of FirstEnergy Stadium before the game between the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers on January 03, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. — (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

The Cleveland Browns are in the midst of preparations for a second game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Here are the news and notes from the team as they return to practice after the bye week.

1. Kareem Hunt Expresses Confidence In Mayfield

#Browns RB Kareem Hunt on GM Andrew Berry's expectation that Baker Mayfield will play his best ball of the season in the final five games: Baker is a competitor, he's our guy, he always gives it 100% each time he's out there. "I'm confident in him."

— Nate Ulrich (@ByNateUlrich) December 6, 2021

The bye week cooled down the chatter about Kareem Hunt Sr.’s social media post critiquing Baker Mayfield.

Unlike the OBJ situation when Beckham said nothing to support or dispute his father’s social media post, Kareem Hunt Jr. expressed his confidence in Mayfield on Monday.

It’s time to move on from family members posting on social media; the Browns have a critical five-game stretch coming up.

2. The Dynamic Duo – Hunt And Nick Chubb

Stefanski said playing Hunt and Chubb together was among one of the many things team discussed last week.#Browns

— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) December 6, 2021

This is the only true game footage I can find of the “CHUNT” 2 back set in 2019. Would be really cool if we saw some of this on Sunday

*Video courtesy of the @Browns youtube channel* #Browns pic.twitter.com/tee5IPSLFd

— Mac🦬 (@tha_buffalo) December 6, 2021

In the preseason, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt talked about implementing more plays with Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb on the field at the same time.

That plan never came to fruition possibly because of injuries to both players; however, there seems to be some momentum behind doing this now that both players are back.

Glimpses of the two on the field together are few and far between with the only video easy to access is from back in the Freddie Kitchens era.

3. Jacob Phillips Returns

#Browns LB Jacob Phillips (remember him?) has been designated for return off injured reserve. Phillips has been on IR with a torn biceps tendon all season.

— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) December 6, 2021

The Browns are getting healthier at a critical time.

Linebacker Jacob Phillips, who has been on IR the entire season with a torn biceps tendon, is on his way back.

4. Charley Hughlett Progressing

#Browns Kevin Stefanski said that long snapper Charley Hughlett, who is on the reserve/COVID-19 list, is progressing.

If he's unable to play Sunday, Mack Wilson will serve as long snapper.

— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) December 6, 2021

#Browns LB Mack Wilson is the backup LS if Charley Hughlett can’t play, as Kevin Stefanski said. Wilson has served as the backup LS since being drafted by the team, and also was the backup punter at Alabama. pic.twitter.com/3lGIiUbRl5

— Brad Stainbrook (@StainbrookNFL) December 6, 2021

Long snapper Charley Hughlett is progressing though he remains on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

If necessary, Mack Wilson will act as the long snapper.