Nick Chubb has been a fan favorite for the Cleveland Browns, but after that nasty knee injury last season, everyone’s been holding their breath.
Will he be back in top form? Well, the good news is Chubb’s been grinding hard in rehab, and the latest updates show he’s on the right track.
But with the start of the season approaching, the big question remains: when will we see him back on the field?
Here’s what you need to know about Chubb’s recovery and how the Browns are gearing up for the 2024 season without their star running back.
- Nick Chubb is recovering well from his knee injury but hasn’t yet set a return date.
- The Browns are gearing up for the season with a running back committee, with Jerome Ford and D’Onta Foreman leading the way.
- Deshaun Watson is excited for Week 1, but Chubb’s availability is still up in the air, with a chance he might miss the first four games.
When Is Nick Chubb Coming Back?
In the latest Nick Chubb news, Cleveland Browns fans have been anxious since he went down with a major knee injury in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers last season.
The injury was severe, involving both his ACL and MCL, and required two surgeries. With this being the same knee he hurt in college, people were worried about how bad it was and if he could bounce back.
But Chubb has repeatedly shown that he’s tough as nails. Recent updates have been encouraging, with him posting videos of himself doing heavy squats and sprinting.
Despite this, Chubb stays cautious, focusing on getting better each day rather than rushing back to the field.
Chubb shared his cautious optimism in a sideline chat with Browns reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala on August 17.
“I feel good. Every day I come to work out, I move around and feel a lot better.”
However, when pressed about a potential return date, he replied, “I do not [have a return date in mind]. One day at a time. Just working on getting faster and stronger every day.”
How the Browns Are Preparing Without Chubb
As the Browns deal with the uncertainty of Chubb’s return, they’ve been getting ready to play without him, at least for the start of the season.
They’ve put together a strong group of running backs, led by D’Onta Foreman, who looked solid in his first preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings. Foreman had 10 carries for 18 yards and scored a touchdown.
He also caught five passes for 46 yards, showing he can do a bit of everything—similar to how the Browns used Kareem Hunt.
Browns’ General Manager Andrew Berry is confident in Foreman’s abilities, saying that his skill set closely mirrors how the team used Hunt last season. This strategy helps keep the Browns’ running game strong, even if Chubb isn’t ready to go immediately.
Deshaun Watson’s Excitement for Week 1 and Its Impact on the Offense
While Nick Chubb’s return is still uncertain, Deshaun Watson’s comeback is on the calendar.
Watson is set to make his preseason debut against the Seattle Seahawks on August 24, and he’s pumped for the big Week 1 game against the Dallas Cowboys on September 8.
Watson, who has only played six games in the past two seasons, is eager to lead the Browns through an entire season. His enthusiasm is evident, and he’s looking forward to playing in front of the Dawg Pound.
In a conversation with Kinkhabwala, Watson said, “It’s set in stone. It’s something you think about each and every day. The Dawg Pound and the stadium will be rocking. Tom Brady is calling the game. You can’t get any better than that to start off the season.”
What Chubb’s Possible Absence Could Mean for the Browns This Season
If Nick Chubb stays on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list at the start of the season, he’ll have to sit out at least the first four games.
This includes tough matchups against teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, and the New York Giants. Thus, missing Chubb could be a big blow to the Browns’ offense, especially against these strong defenses.
Jerome Ford is expected to lead the running game while Chubb is out. Last season, Ford averaged 4.0 yards per carry on 204 attempts, putting up 1,132 total yards and 9 touchdowns in 17 games.
But with some of the league’s best defenses lined up in the first month, the pressure will be on Ford and the other running backs to keep the offense moving.
Along with Pierre Strong Jr. and Aidan Robbins, Ford will help maintain depth in the running game so that the team remains competitive, even without their top back.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski has been careful not to rush Chubb back. He’s made it clear that while Chubb is doing everything right in his recovery, the team isn’t going to push him to return before he’s fully ready.
This cautious approach shows how much the Browns value Chubb’s long-term health and want to make sure he’s 100% before he hits the field again.
Oh, and before you leave, why not check out our article on the best NFL players of all time?
