By BRIAN DULIK

Staff Writer

BEREA — Browns running back Jamal Lewis has spent the entire season lobbying for more carries. His wish is about to be granted — and then some.

Because of a rash of injuries, Lewis may be the sole healthy RB on the roster when Cleveland hosts the Houston Texans on Sunday afternoon. That means the 29-year-old bruiser will be toting the pigskin early and often, much to his delight.

“I want every rep. I want every rep. I want it. I want it,” Lewis said Wednesday. “Hey, that’s how it is. Things happen. I’ve got to be there to answer the bell, and I’ll be there.

“I’m fresh. They don’t load up the box in practice, thank God.”

Lewis has only gotten 25 carries once this fall and has yet to post a 100-yard game, but remains on track for his third consecutive and seventh overall 1,000-yard season.

And despite averaging just 3.6 yards per rush, the former Pro Bowler is actually ahead of his 10-game pace from one year ago, when he finished with a whopping 1,304 yards (the seventh-most in Browns history).

“I think I’m running as well as I need to and as well as I train in the offseason to run,” said Lewis, who has 658 yards and four touchdowns. “You’re not going to get 100 yards every game. Sometimes, it’s all about being consistent and I think I’m being very consistent right now.”

Lewis also has proven to be very durable since joining the Browns prior to the 2007 season, which is a huge plus on an injury-riddled ballclub. He is one of just four members of the offense to start each game this year, joining Braylon Edwards, Hank Fraley and Joe Thomas.

Further illustrating that point, running backs Jerome Harrison (hamstring) and Jason Wright (neck) and fullback Lawrence Vickers (ankle) were unable to practice Wednesday and are unlikely to play against the Texans, leaving Lewis and fullback Charles Ali as Cleveland’s only backfield options.

“Jamal will have to take all the running back reps in practice and we’re going to take a couple of defensive backs and let them run the show team offense for us,” coach Romeo Crennel said. “There will be a couple of guys who may have to do some double-duty, just so we can get along and see who can be ready to play when we get to Sunday.”

Atop the list of eager participants is Lewis, who is approaching two major milestones.

On the field, he needs 237 yards to become the 24th player in NFL history to rush for 10,000, which would solidify his already-solid Hall of Fame candidacy.

Off the field, he is nine months away from turning 30, which is widely considered the age that running backs — and point guards in basketball — start to break down.

“I thought it was 29 before I came into the season, now it’s 30? Next year, it will be 31,” Lewis said, laughing. “The numbers are the numbers. I’ve played nine seasons, but I missed one season with an injury, so that’s eight seasons. Do you count those games when you only get 15 carries? Those shouldn’t count either.

“I work out hard in the offseason, that’s what I pride myself on. They should call me a gym junkie because I work out all the time to stay fit and be ready for a 16-20 week season.”

With six weeks left in the campaign, Lewis says his 5-foot-11, 245-pound frame feels good except for normal wear and tear. Perhaps as important, Crennel feels good about putting the football in his hands as much as possible the rest of the way.

Both also agree that it’s only a matter of time before Lewis has his first 100-yard game since last Dec. 30, perhaps this week against the Texans’ weak rushing defense.

“Being successful in this league is just about having opportunities present themselves, but at the same time, you have to get carries,” Lewis said. “I’ve always been taught you should get 25 carries a game and get 4 yards a carry, then you’re there at 100.

“My thing is being able to sustain the same type of production and be able to move the offense. Gaining yards consistently, that’s my job.”

Dulik may be reached at brisports@hotmail.com or 330-721-4059.