Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey is tackled by New England Patriots outside linebacker Dont'a Hightower during the second half of last Sunday's win (AP photo)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Throughout Dont’a Hightower’s nine seasons in New England, the veteran linebacker said the identity of the Patriots’ defense has always been predicated on two things — being physical and stopping the run.

Both will need to be on display this week as the Patriots prepare for a Cleveland Browns offense that has the second-ranked rushing offense in the NFL in averaging 160 yards per game.

It’s unclear who will be anchoring that attack for Cleveland on Sunday with star running back Nick Chubb’s status uncertain following a positive test for the coronavirus and Kareem Hunt’s calf issue keeping him on injured reserve. Rookie running back/wide receiver Demetric Felton also tested positive for COVID-19.

If Chubb does play, Patriots inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo said he will present “probably our biggest challenge of the year.” Chubb is averaging 103 rushing yards per game, second only to Tennessee’s Derrick Henry (117).

“You could just never take a play off,” Mayo said. “He’s one of these guys that he’ll go for 2 yards, 3 yards, 4 yards, and then all of a sudden busts out a 70-yard run on you. So there are no plays off when he’s in the backfield.”

Coach Bill Belichick said the potential absence of Chubb won’t change their approach.

“People are questionable. They might play. They might not play,” he said. “Nobody’s been ruled out, so we’ll be ready for whoever’s there.”

Hightower said whoever lines up for the Browns will encounter a defense that has taken pride in making it difficult for opposing offenses to move the ball on the ground.

Hightower could only watch last season after he opted out because of COVID-19 concerns and New England slumped to 26th in the league against the run, allowing 131.4 yards per game.

After being ranked as low as 24th in the NFL defending the run this season following its Week 3 loss to the Saints, New England enters Sunday’s matchup ranked 14th in league, giving up 108.9 yards per game.

Over their past five games, the Patriots have allowed just two teams to eclipse the 100-yard mark.

Hightower said since Week 1 keeping that number low has been something the defense has harped on.

“Reputation and intimidation only gets you so far,” he said. “All that stuff is cool. But at the end of the day, when it comes down to game day, it comes down to execution.”

While Hightower’s stats have been down this season (just 28 combined tackles), Mayo said he’s just as involved as he was before sitting out in 2020.

“He’s still the physical player, the good pass rusher and the guy who was able to do a bunch of different things,” Mayo said. “It’s a pleasant surprise to see him do these things, again, after taking a year off.”

Defensive lineman Davon Godchaux acknowledged their preparation is made more difficult not knowing exactly who will be carrying the ball for the Browns. Still, he said they would “bring our hard hats” either way to contend.

“We’re preparing for their starters. Whoever’s next gonna be next, but I’m still preparing for Nick Chubb,” Godchaux said. “That’s my mindset today. That’s the whole team’s mindset.”

BROWNS KEEP PUSHING AHEAD

They’re back to wearing masks inside the building in Cleveland, holding meetings virtually, closing their cafeteria and not taking any chances.

“It always puts things back into perspective of the weird times that we are in,” linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. said Wednesday. “COVID is still a thing and we have to respect that as such.”

Chubb tested positive for the coronavirus on Tuesday, and it’s possible the star running back will miss Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots.

Rookie running back/wide receiver Demetric Felton also tested positive and was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list along with Chubb, who is coming off a 137-yard, two-touchdown performance in a win over Cincinnati.

Both players will need to be symptom free and have two negative tests 24 hours apart to be eligible to face the Patriots. Chubb and Felton are both vaccinated.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski would not disclose whether Chubb is experiencing any symptoms, leaving his status uncertain and perhaps Cleveland without its best offensive player this week.

In the meantime, the Browns had their fifth positive test in three days as backup guard Nick Harris was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Stefanski said the second-year lineman was the only new positive test.

PANTHERS BURNS STILL MAD AT JONES

Carolina Panthers defensive end Brian Burns said he thinks New England Patriots rookie quarterback Mac Jones should apologize for grabbing his right ankle and trying to twist it during last Sunday’s game in Charlotte.

Not that Burns is expecting Jones to be contrite.

“It would be nice to have an apology, but it’s not going to happen,” Burns said Wednesday in his first interview since the game. “However the NFL handles it, it’s on them. I would just like to play them again.”

Then, Burns added, “I wish all my fellow D-end brothers happy hunting. That’s all.”

Burns and several of his Carolina teammates are still upset that Jones was not penalized for holding and has not yet been fined by the league for grabbing Burns’ leg after a sack-fumble in New England’s 24-6 win over Carolina.

Jones refused to discuss the incident on Wednesday.

“I already addressed that situation,” Jones said when asked if he’s reached out to Burns. “I’m just looking forward to playing in this game with the guys we have our team this week. So we’re gonna try to move forward and (be) ready to play this week.”

AND WHAT OF BECKHAM?

The Patriots have been mentioned as one of the teams interested in signing former Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. after he cleared waivers on Tuesday.

Of course, rumors were rampant with all sorts of speculation Wednesday, but Beckham reportedly will take as much as a couple of more days to decide among any offers he will or has already received.

(Telegraph staff writer Tom King contributed to this report.)