CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns running back Kareem Hunt underwent sports hernia surgery on Thursday morning and will spend at least part of his eight-game suspension rehabbing from the procedure.

He will be ready for the Bills game Nov. 10 at FirstEnergy Stadium when he comes off his ban for violating the personal conduct policy, the Browns said in a statement.

He won’t, however, be permitted to rehab at the Browns facility during the suspension, the spokesman said. Per the personal conduct policy, Hunt must vacate the premises Saturday at 4 p.m. when his suspension begins and won’t be allowed back until the Monday before the Bills game.

Hunt began training camp on the non-football injury list with a groin injury suffered while working out on his own over the summer break.

He was activated Aug. 3, but worked his way slowly back into camp. He played in the second and third preseason games, carrying the ball twice against the Colts for 6 yards and five times for 11 yards against the Bucs. He also caught one pass for three yards.

The surgery may have been related to the groin injury, which Hunt was still recovering from.

During joint practices with the Colts two weeks ago, he said he still wasn’t 100%.

"I wouldn’t say I’m at my peak, but I’m working my way back,'' he said. "Taking it day-by-day for sure.''

He said he felt he’d have enough to time to catch up to the offense before leaving the team, and then plans to work hard during his two month hiatus. A native of Cleveland, it remains to be seen if he’ll remain in town or go elsewhere during his suspension.

His break will also include a continuation of his counseling sessions for anger management and related issues.

"I’m going to spend a lot of time working out and staying on top of the playbook and stuff like that,'' he said. "I’ll be able to do that.''

Meanwhile, Hunt knows that his good friend Nick Chubb will more than hold down the fort in his absence.

“Oh yeah, definitely,'' he said. "No drop-off. He’s definitely a great running back, and I consider myself one, too.''

He also said he believes the Browns offense can be as explosive as the Chiefs', the one he came from.

“We’ve just got a number of receivers, running back talent, a great quarterback, the same thing K.C. has, so there’s similarities,'' he said.

Hunt is eager to return and join the other big offensive acquisition in Odell Beckham Jr.

“I mean, I’ll be shocked if I see him drop a ball or something like that, so he just goes out and makes plays, over and over again.''

Hunt, who led the NFL in rushing yards as a rookie, hopes to have fresh legs and contribute in a big way down the stretch.