The Cleveland Browns appear to have lost the foundation of their offense on Monday night when running back Nick Chubb suffered a severe left knee injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Here’s everything we know about Chubb’s injury, including the latest reports and an update from Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski.
Nick Chubb Injury Update
Chubb went down after handling a rush attempt in the second quarter of tonight’s game. The ABC broadcast didn’t show a replay of Chubb’s injury, but you can see it below.
Prayers up for Nick Chubb. This looks awful in slow-motion pic.twitter.com/H1Zw2NZzjv
— Ian Valentino (@NFLDraftStudy) September 19, 2023
A slow-motion replay of Chubb’s injury can be found here (warning: it is graphic).
Chubb initially attempted to get up but realized he couldn’t. Eventually, Cleveland brought out a cart to remove him from the field and transport him to the locker room.
The Browns quickly announced Chubb would be out for the remainder of the game with a knee injury.
Jordan Schultz of The Score subsequently reported that Cleveland fears Chubb’s season is over. The club believes he may have a potential knee dislocation and possible damage to multiple ligaments.
After the game, Kevin Stefanski said Chubb suffered a “significant knee injury” and anticipates the star running back will miss the remainder of the season.
#Browns HC Kevin Stefanski told reporters that he expects Nick Chubb to miss the remainder of the season with a “significant” knee injury. https://t.co/SniGq2YM2i
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) September 19, 2023
Chubb hurt the same knee in 2015 while he was at the University of Georgia, suffering a dislocation and tearing his MCL, PCL, and LCL.
No matter how long he’s out, Chubb represents a massive loss for Cleveland’s offense. He’s arguably the best pure runner in the NFL and managed at least 1,000 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in each of the last four years, earning a Pro Bowl appearance in every season.
Jerome Ford is Chubb’s direct backup, while summer trade acquisition Pierre Strong Jr. is also on the Browns’ roster. Cleveland has one more running back — 2023 undrafted free agent Hassan Hall — on its practice squad.
If the Browns want to add a free agent in the wake of Chubb’s injury, Leonard Fournette, Kareem Hunt, and others remain available on the open market. Hunt, of course, spent the 2019-22 seasons in Cleveland. If the Browns want to make a swap, Los Angeles Rams RB Cam Akers remains on the trade block.
Chubb is the second Brown to suffer a severe injury this season. Right tackle Jack Conklin suffered a torn ACL in the club’s season-opening win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Fantasy Fallout From Chubb’s Injury
The injury to Nick Chubb immediately gives Jerome Ford a huge bump in fantasy value in tonight’s contest. Chubb was well on his way to another stellar fantasy outing prior to his exit, logging 64 rushing yards on 10 carries.
Once Chubb exited the game, Ford immediately found pay dirt with a three-yard touchdown reception. Ford will move into the RB2 conversation, assuming Chubb misses time.
— PFN Fantasy Analyst Derek Tate
