BEREA — The Browns needed 1 yard on fourth down with 18 seconds left Sunday. One yard was all the difference between leaving Indianapolis with a critical win over the Colts or a deflating loss.

Kareem Hunt knew exactly what the Browns needed to do in the moment. And he was making sure Browns coach Kevin Stefanski and the rest of the offensive coaches knew as well.

"I was telling them, I want the ball in my hands at that last second," Hunt said after the game. "I'm going to make sure we get a yard. I will not be denied a yard."

Hunt wasn't lying. Hunt wasn't denied that yard.

Despite needing to control what appeared to be a high handoff from backup quarterback P.J. Walker, Hunt easily broke the plane of the goal line for the go-ahead touchdown with 15 seconds remaining. The 39-38 win gave the Browns a two-game win streak and a 4-2 record on the season.

"Only thing is not being denied," Hunt said. "It is like, go win this game. It's time for you to take over and win this game. And the line did a great job of coming off the ball. We were all hyped for it. We were waiting for it."

All thanks to the not-to-be-denied Hunt. Not to be denied on that fourth-down run; not to be denied in playing in the game in the first place.

Hunt was listed as questionable coming into the game due to a thigh injury. It was substantial enough that the decision wasn't a foregone conclusion when the Browns got on the plane to go to Indianapolis.

"Probably made that decision this morning I was going to play," said Hunt, who rushed for 31 yards and two TDs on 10 carries. "I was very close. I got to keep staying on top of it, get right, get ready for next week."

The Browns need Hunt to be healthy this Sunday when they travel across the country to face the Seattle Seahawks. The challenge was already going to be stiff facing a Seahawk defense that's 12th overall in the league and sixth against the run (87.2 yards per game) without Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb — who is out for the season after knee surgery — and questions surrounding QB Deshaun Watson's status.

Throw into the mix the fact Jerome Ford, who had replaced Chubb in the lineup, is likely out for at least the Seattle game. Reports emerged Monday evening that the ankle injury the second-year pro sustained with roughly 11:20 remaining in Sunday's game was revealed to be a low-grade high ankle sprain that could cost him multiple games.

Hunt was originally brought back to the Browns two days after Chubb's season-ending knee injury in Week 2 to provide some veteran support behind Ford. Now he'll be asked to pick up even more of the slack as he splits time in the backfield with Pierre Strong Jr., who was acquired in an Aug. 27 trade with the New England Patriots.

All that means is more opportunities for Hunt to potentially do more things like what he did Sunday , when he wouldn't be denied the 1 yard he needed.

"It's so sweet, man," Hunt said. "It's only been like a month now since I've been back. Missing camp and everything is kind of a lot. But coming back right now and then it's crazy to be back here and doing this for my city."

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on Twitter at @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Kareem Hunt plays role in Browns win, eyes more with Jerome Ford hurt