The Cleveland Browns are preparing for the return of one of the game’s top running backs. The team announced on Wednesday that star tailback Nick Chubb will return to practice. The 28-year-old will miss the most of the 2023 season after suffering a devastating knee injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 18. Chubb tore his MCL and injured his ACL, ending his sixth season in Cleveland. Prior to the most recent update, Chubb was listed as physically unable to perform for the 2024 season. The 2018 second-round pick must be activated within 21 days or remain on the reserve list for the remainder of the season.
Over the past four games, the Browns’ offence has battled hard. At this point in the season, only the New England Patriots have a lower average total yardage per game than Cleveland (246). The Browns are also 26th in rushing yards per game (95).
If Chubb does return to the field, he should at the very least bring a new gear to the team’s awful ground game. He had ran for at least 1,000 yards in four consecutive seasons prior to his injury. The question is whether the former Georgia Bulldog can be the same game-changing force.
Chubb has recovered from a worse injury previously. In 2015, while playing for Georgia, he dislocated his kneecap and tore his MCL, PCL, and LCL. An injury like that may be career-ending, yet Chubb returned to the Bulldogs’ season opener less than a year later, rushing for 222 yards and two touchdowns. Chubb has had a remarkable start to his career in Cleveland.
In 2022, Chubb will join Jim Brown as the only players in franchise history to surpass 1,500 running yards in a single season. Despite the disappointing finish to his 2023 season, the four-time Pro Bowl pick has already accumulated 1,238 carries for 6,511 yards, 123 catches for 1,011 yards, and 52 total touchdowns over six seasons. With Chubb down, the Browns (1-3) have turned to 2022 fifth-round selection Jerome Ford. Having an accomplished playmaker like Chubb back might bring a much-needed spark to Cleveland’s offence moving forward, but there is no news on when or if he will suit up on Sundays just yet. Cleveland will face the Washington Commanders (3-1) in Week 5. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET (Fox).
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