Nick Chubb’s Injury and Potential Return Date: Latest Updates Surrounding the Browns RB

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb started the 2024 NFL season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, meaning he must miss at least the first four weeks.

There were some positive reports about Chubb and his recovery during training camp, but when can we expect the Browns star running back to return to action? Let’s break down the latest update.

What Happened to Nick Chubb?

Chubb continues to make progress recovering from multiple knee ligament tears in Week 2 of the 2023 season. Nobody was surprised when the Browns kept him on the PUP list to begin the season, so he’ll be sidelined for the first four weeks at a minimum. However, with Week 3 on the horizon, what is the latest around Chubb?

Recently, Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com said that Chubb will likely miss the first half of the season.

“I think the hope was always that Chubb, on Physically Unable to Perform for at least the first four weeks, would be ready midway through the season, possibly by Week 8 against the Ravens, Week 9 against the Chargers, or perhaps after the bye in Week 10,” she said in September.

“Expectations were raised at The Greenbrier when he was sprinting and cutting so well, but the Browns pumped the brakes to give Chubb all the time he needs to recover from the second major left knee reconstruction of his career.”

While Chubb is sidelined, Jerome Ford will continue to serve as Cleveland’s lead back. In the two games Ford has played this season, he has amassed 133 total yards with 1 touchdown.

Kyle Soppe’s Fantasy Outlook for Chubb

From 2020-2022, 42 running backs carried the rock at least 300 times. Chubb had as good of a case as any of them to be considered the top rusher over that stretch (minimum 300 carries). He ranked:

• First in yards per carry (5.3)
• Second in rushing yards per game (89.6)
• Third in rushing touchdowns per game (0.7)

For further context, when watching Derrick Henry, it’s easy to assume that he’s the toughest tackle in the history of mankind. Well, over those three years, Chubb averaged 5.4% more yards per carry after contact than The King.

At 28 years old, it’s reasonable to think that there is still gas left in the tank — if his knee says so. In 2023, two of the top four running backs in PPR points per game were at least 28 years old (Alvin Kamara and Raheem Mostert), giving us hope that while the age curve certainly doesn’t favor aging backs, there are still exceptions.

The prevailing wisdom seems to be that Chubb will miss a significant chunk of the season and then be eased into his usual workload. Savvy fantasy managers know that this game is more of a marathon than a sprint, and those same people tend to trust themselves when it comes to their ability to piece together a roster as they wait for things to take shape come the postseason.

This is nothing more than speculation on my part, but with a Week 10 bye, I’m operating under the thought that Chubb has a chance to be a bell cow by Week 11. That gives him roughly one month to get into peak form for the fantasy playoffs.

• Week 15 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
• Week 16 at Cincinnati Bengals
• Week 17 vs. Miami Dolphins
• Week 18 at Baltimore Ravens

Notice anything in that schedule?

They are all elite offenses that Cleveland will not want to engage in a track meet. For me, that means a lot of ground-and-pound, potentially with a reasonably fresh Chubb if his reps were managed properly prior.