Kareem Hunt isn't allowed to be at the Browns’ facility during his eight-game suspension.
But teammate and receiver Antonio Callaway will be permitted to attend meetings and other team functions while serving his four-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy on Wednesday told The Associated Press that the league has denied the Browns' request to let the running back remain with the team during his ban, a decision that didn't sit well with second-year quarterback Baker Mayfield.
"It hurts him not to be around there because if you can be around your teammates, that can help you keep a positive attitude, and that definitely helps," Mayfield said. "So that's tough to hear."
Hunt's suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy stems from an incident in which he was seen kicking a woman on video at a Cleveland hotel and goes into effect Sunday.
He was initially expected to be on the field Thursday when the Browns wrap up exhibition play against the Lions, but Cleveland canceled those plans when it announced he had surgery to repair a sports hernia before kickoff.
RB Kareem Hunt will not play in tonight’s preseason finale against the Detroit Lions. Hunt underwent surgery this morning to repair a sports hernia injury. A full recovery is anticipated prior to his return to action in Week 10 of the regular season.
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 29, 2019
The 24-year-old Pro Bowl player has been practicing and playing in preseason games in recent weeks, but the Browns don't expect him to be fully recovered from his operation before Week 10.
Callaway will be eligible to return after Cleveland visits San Francisco on Oct. 7.