Over the past five seasons, no player has been more important to the Cleveland Browns’ offense than running back Nick Chubb. The former second round pick was the engine behind that unit, racking up more than 6,300 rushing yards in that stretch for a franchise that cycled through wide receivers and quarterbacks in an effort to build a contender.
It appears the team’s quest to return to the postseason may have to go on without him. Chubb was knocked to the turf hard on a second quarter first-and-goal carry and was left holding his knee as teammates came by to help him up. When it became clear he wouldn’t make it back to the sideline on his own, he had to be carted back to the locker room for further evaluation.
While there’s no indication yet of how serious the injury may be, the scene itself, which also left Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick shaken and on the turf, was deemed serious enough that ESPN’s broadcast booth opted against replaying it.
Browns RB Nick Chubb is down with a leg injury that is apparently so gruesome that ESPN declared it won't show the replay.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) September 19, 2023
A look back at the play, which I won’t post here but isn’t difficult to find, suggests a significant hyperextension that could have serious effects on a knee that already went through an ACL reconstruction in college. It’s possible Cleveland could be without its all-purpose yardage leader from 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019 and 2018 for an extended period.
That’s brutal news for a team that needs to buttress its offense around Deshaun Watson. The Browns acquired him in 2022 despite more than 20 accusations of sexual misconduct and what the NFL itself described as “predatory behavior” and then handed him a fully guaranteed $230 million contract extension. In the seven games he’s played since he’s been roughly the league’s 33rd-best quarterback, throwing just eight touchdown passes against six interceptions, recording a 77.4 passer rating and contributing -0.069 expected points added (EPA) per play.
The contingency plan behind Chubb is thinner than ever as well. Jerome Ford (23 career carries) and newly acquired Pierre Strong Jr. (10) are the next men up on the depth chart. Familiar face Kareem Hunt remains unsigned as a free agent, but his 3.8 yards per carry last season in Cleveland were a career low, as were his 1.9 yards after contact and -0.08 rush yards over expected per carry.
There are other veteran options available on the open market. Leonard Fournette, JD McKissic, Kenyan Drake and Darrell Henderson are the most recognizable names out there. Cleveland could poach from the rest of the league’s practice squads and scoop a veteran like Melvin Gordon or Corey Clement. They could make a swing for an even better University of Wisconsin alum by paying handsomely for Jonathan Taylor, though the team’s draft coffers are still meager owing to the Watson trade that shipped three first round picks, and more, to the Houston Texans.
If not one of those household-ish names, a lesser known practice squadder like Xazavian Valladay or Deneric Prince could provide viable depth and a modest upside behind a potent offensive line. None of these options is perfect or even very good, but those are the shakes when your All-Pro running back and the power core of your offense goes down six quarters into the season.
Meanwhile, NFL veterans and analysts took to Twitter to express their condolences and prove that, yes, everyone loves watching Nick Chubb run the damn ball.
Goddamnit there are few football players on earth who give me more joy than Nick Chubb. I'm sick for him.
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) September 19, 2023
Nick Chubb is one of the most talented, fun to watch players in this league. This sucks so bad
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) September 19, 2023
Was going to tweet out earlier that Nick Chubb is the most underrated dominant back I can remember and now it just feels like a sad coda instead of a jubilant celebration
— Arif Hasan, but NFL 🏈 (@ArifHasanNFL) September 19, 2023
Nick Chubb…🙏🏻
— Trevor Lawrence (@Trevorlawrencee) September 19, 2023
Thank you for not showing that leg. Injuries suck man. Horrible part of our game. Hope Chubb can have a full recovery and be ready for next season.
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) September 19, 2023
Prayers for Nick Chubb🙏🏾
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) September 19, 2023
Anyone who’s ever listened to our show knows how I feel about Nick Chubb. He’s one of the truly special players in the league. Absolutely gutted for him. The NFL is what it is because of players like him.
— Robert Mays (@robertmays) September 19, 2023
not even gonna lie, I’m having a hard time focusing on this game after the Chubb injury. Nothing seems real at the moment
— Mikey McNuggets (@MikeLucasTV) September 19, 2023
DAMN MAN!!!! 🤦🏾♂️. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 Nick Chubb. Praying for the absolute best
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 19, 2023
Prayers up for Chubb 🙏🏼
— Christian McCaffrey (@CMC_22) September 19, 2023
The city is praying for Nick Chubb tonight. We stand with you brother 🙏🏾🙏🏾
— Justin M. Bibb (@JustinMBibb) September 19, 2023
I don’t root for specific teams, but I absolutely cheer for players and Nick Chubb is a family favorite in our house.
Such a devastating injury. Hate it for him. pic.twitter.com/WNhscqc14f
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) September 19, 2023
I’m upset. Who doesn’t love Nick Chubb? This sucks.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) September 19, 2023
I know I’m supposed to hate Cleveland’s guts but I feel terrible for Chubb. He is the embodiment of a football player and by all accounts a good human
— Nick Maraldo (@nickmaraldo) September 19, 2023
I get that we’re supposed to be unbiased impartial journalists. But Nick Chubb is everything football is supposed to be. The way he runs, the way he works, the teammate he is… I feel so deflated. And am praying for a miracle. #Browns 💔
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) September 19, 2023
Whole league is praying for you Chubb 🙏 pic.twitter.com/WFuNHbwVkz
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) September 19, 2023
