Nick Chubb, the Cleveland Browns’ star running back, suffered a devastating knee injury during the second week of the 2023 NFL season. This injury has left fans and fantasy football managers wondering when Chubb will return and how effective he will be when he does. Let’s explore the latest updates on his recovery and when we might see him back on the field.
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What Happened to Nick Chubb?
Nick Chubb suffered a serious knee injury in the Browns’ 2023 Week 2 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In one of the early games of the season, he ran for more than 100 yards and was playing at an elite level. His year was essentially brought to a screeching halt when he tore his ACL, MCL, medial capsule, and meniscus in that same contest. Surgery twice repaired the serious damage to Chubb’s knee after the injury.
No Timetable for Nick Chubb’s Return
Chubb injury has kept him out for the entire 2023 season, and although there’s hope for his return in 2024, the timeline remains unclear. The Browns placed Chubb on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, meaning he must sit out at least the first four weeks of the season. However, it’s expected that he will need more time beyond those four weeks to fully recover and return to the field.
While there is no official timetable for Chubb’s return, he has been making significant progress in his rehabilitation. Over the offseason, he was seen in a video squatting over 600 pounds, an impressive feat for someone recovering from such a serious injury. Chubb himself has said, “I feel good. Every day I come to work out, I move around and feel a lot better.”
Midseason Return?
Many sources suggest that Chubb might not return until the middle of the 2024 season. According to team insider Mary Kay Cabot, the Browns are aiming for Chubb to come back between Week 8 and Week 10, possibly after the team’s bye week. This cautious approach reflects the team’s commitment to ensuring Chubb’s long-term health, as this is the second major leg injury of his career.
Although there’s been optimism surrounding Chubb’s recovery due to his rigorous offseason workouts, the Browns have been very careful not to rush his return.
Browns Running Back Situation in Chubb’s Absence
While Nick Chubb is sidelined, the Browns will rely on Jerome Ford as their primary running back. Ford stepped up in 2023, rushing for over 800 yards and proving himself to be a valuable asset to the team. In addition to Ford, backups Pierre Strong Jr. and D’Onta Foreman will compete for playing time and contribute to the Browns’ ground game until Chubb is ready to return.
Fantasy Football Outlook for Nick Chubb
For fantasy football managers, Nick Chubb’s injury presents a challenging situation. In past seasons, Chubb has been one of the most reliable running backs in fantasy, averaging 15.9 to 17.3 points per game between 2019 and 2022. However, given the severity of his injury and the uncertainty surrounding his return, managers will need to be cautious.
Chubb is currently being drafted around RB39 in fantasy football leagues, which reflects the risk that comes with picking a player who is not guaranteed to play a full season. If he returns to form, Chubb could be a valuable asset, even if only for half of the season. However, at 29 years old and coming off such a serious injury, there’s a risk he may not perform at the same level or could even re-injure himself.
Fantasy managers need to weigh the potential upside of drafting Chubb against the risk of his delayed or incomplete recovery. For those willing to take a gamble, Chubb’s league-winning potential is there, but he remains a risky pick for 2024.
Patience is Key
Nick Chubb’s injury serves as a reminder of just how predictable the NFL can sometimes be. While he works his tail off to return to the field, there is no indication as to when we will see him take the field again. The Browns are being very conservative to protect the health of their star running back for the long term. Whether at the midpoint of the season or a bit after that, Chubb’s presence will serve as a huge boost to a team trying to find its way out from the ruggedness of the AFC North.
