SAD NEWS : Cleveland Browns star player will undergo surgery and will be out for the rest of the season

Browns RB Kareem Hunt had surgery to repair a sports hernia after sustaining a groin injury during the season.

Cleveland — A league source verified to News 5 that Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt, who is scheduled to become a free agency, had a sports hernia surgery and is currently recuperating.

Hunt had the surgery to repair a ruptured adductor muscle that he played through this season. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler was the first to report the news.

The Browns running back had what was described as a groin issue on the injury reports for a large portion of the season. He would play despite the injury week in and week out, but take a day or two off before a game as per the regular schedule.

This season, Hunt played in 15 games for the Browns after re-signing with the team following Nick Chubb’s season-ending knee injury in Week 2.

Hunt recorded 411 yards and nine touchdowns on 135 carries. He was a crucial part of the Browns’ red zone success throughout the year, punching through the end zone often when handed the ball near the goal line.

“I’m so appreciative of him and the way he played and the style with which he played. Obviously pre-injury to Nick, we didn’t have a spot, but to Kareem’s credit, he stayed in great shape. We brought him in, worked him out, he looked great, picked up, picked back up the system right away and played really good football for us and made plays in high leverage moments and scored touchdowns,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said at the end of the season. “So he provided huge, huge value for us and just he’s a battler. Loved the way he runs, the style with which he runs, gave us a huge jolt that we needed.”

Hunt stated at the close of the season that he hoped to stay a Cleveland Brown, but he will be recovering from the operation for the next few weeks in addition to testing free agency.

I wouldn’t be against returning if the chance to do so were to arise right now. I really want to help them win the Super Bowl because it’s my hometown,” Hunt declared. “Winning a title for Cleveland, my city, would make me happy and content no matter what, even if I were to play for a different team or something else. If that were to happen, I would undoubtedly be at the parade, supporting them all the same. I am delighted that I was able to participate in this adventure for such a long time, and I wish the organization and the Cleveland Browns nothing but the best.”