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 of the campaign.
There were some positive reports about Chubb and his recovery during training camp, but when can we expect Cleveland’s star running back to return to action? Let’s break down the latest updates.
What Happened to Nick Chubb?
Chubb continues to make progress as he recovers 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.
On Wednesday, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski was asked about how Chubb is progressing, and he offered an update on the running back’s status.
“We’ll see when we get to next week,” Stefanski said of Chubb. “He’s doing well.”
However, just because Chubb is eligible to play in Week 5 doesn’t mean he’s guaranteed to be in the lineup. After all, Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com recently 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, with D’Onta Foreman mixing in as well.
Chubb’s Fantasy Outlook
Chubb is coming off a severe knee injury involving three torn ligaments and a dislocated knee, which complicates his recovery and future performance. There’s a risk he might not regain his previous explosiveness.
When healthy, Chubb has been a consistent fantasy force, averaging 15.9-17.3 fantasy points per game from 2019-2022. Even in limited action last season, he showed elite rushing ability with 6.1 yards per carry.
If Chubb can return to form and give you 15-17 ppg for even 8 games, drafting him at his current ADP was a steal.
However, here’s the pessimistic scenario: At nearly 29 years old, there’s a real chance Chubb won’t return to his former self. He might end up in a timeshare or could even reaggravate his injury, making him a risky stash.
While there’s a league-winning upside, the uncertainty around his recovery and return timeline makes Chubb a risky fantasy asset.
Who Will Step Up In Chubb’s Absence?
There are two running backs who are filling in for Chubb while he’s sidelined: Jerome Ford and D’Onta Foreman. Let’s break down the fantasy outlook for both running backs.
Jerome Ford Fantasy Outlook
After a week where his role was in question, Ford played 82.5% of the snaps in Week 3 and managed 70 yards on 13 touches. The 25-year-old has shown enough versatility to stay on Flex radars, though the possibility of his role changing from week-to-week makes him a tough player to count on.
Ford has elevated in my ranks from a Flex option to an RB2, but that’s more the result of those around him falling (Rachaad White, D’Andre Swift, and Rhamondre Stevenson to name a few).
D’Onta Foreman Fantasy Outlook
In Week 2, Foreman had the first two carries for the Browns, suggesting that we have a full-blown committee on our hands. However, in Week 3, he played just 11 snaps, receiving two carries and running two routes.
Foreman’s value isn’t as an asset himself but as a drain to Ford.