Nick Chubb, one of the best running backs in the NFL, didn’t play for the Cleveland Browns in the first six weeks of the 2024 NFL season. Now, Chubb is reportedly ready to make his long-awaited return. Let’s break down everything we know about Chubb’s injury and imminent return.
What Is Nick Chubb’s Injury?
Chubb suffered a serious knee injury during Week 2 of the 2023 season. During a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he tore his left ACL, MCL, and PCL.
The injury was to the same knee that Chubb seriously injured in 2015 while at the University of Georgia. He underwent a pair of surgeries and missed the rest of the campaign. The 28-year-old began this season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
How Long Will Chubb Be Sidelined?
Head coach Kevin Stefanski announced that Chubb is expected to play in Week 7 when the Browns face the Cincinnati Bengals.
Browns HC Kevin Stefanski told reporters that, despite Nick Chubb’s questionable injury tag for Sunday’s game against the Bengals, the Cleveland running back is expected to play for the first time since he suffered last season’s knee injury. pic.twitter.com/F3XtlAnn0l
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter)
Chubb received a questionable tag but practiced in full all week, paving the way for his return. Chubb’s knee injury was devastating, so it’s miraculous that he’s taking the field again.
As Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com put it, Chubb “has torn every ligament in the knee at least once, and several twice,” seemingly becoming the first NFL running back to come back from two major reconstructions of the same knee.
Chubb returned to practice on Wednesday, Oct. 2, opening his three-week practice window.
Chubb will have a juicy matchup against the Bengals, who are allowing the fifth-most rushing yards per game (146). This season, three different RBs have topped 21 fantasy points against Cincy: Chuba Hubbard, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Should fantasy managers start Chubb in his first game back after such a catastrophic injury?
Fantasy Outlook for Chubb
This is a tough one.
If you have Chubb, it could be hard to resist the urge to insert him into your lineup as at least a Flex. When healthy, he was one of fantasy’s best running backs in recent seasons.
But we simply have no idea how the 1-5 Browns will use Chubb on Sunday.
Will they give him a starter’s workload? Will Cleveland have him split carries with D’Onta Foreman and Pierre Strong Jr.? And will the Browns exercise caution and sit Chubb if the game gets out of hand one way or the other?
There are too many variables. The only thing we know for sure is you shouldn’t consider starting Foreman or Strong. And the same goes for Jerome Ford, who could miss time due to a hamstring injury.
If you’re light on Flex options, don’t hesitate to put Chubb in your lineup. But be wary of starting him over running backs with more established floors.
