It has been a tough year for Nick Chubb since the Cleveland Browns running back returned from his knee injury, and things do not appear to be getting much better. Chubb was listed as questionable with a foot injury by the Browns after limping from the field in the third quarter of the Week 15 game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Let’s examine what happened to Chubb, the latest injury update, and the fantasy football impact.
What Happened to Nick Chubb?
Chubb limped off the field after an eight-yard run inside his own 20-yard line. Chubb headed straight to the medical tent before then going to the locker room. He was listed as questionable, but it seemed unlikely he would return based on the progression of his injury. Chubb was ruled out with a foot injury shortly afterward.
When Chubb left the game, he had 41 rushing yards on nine attempts. He was on pace for his best game of the season, having only managed 59 yards in his best performance this season.
Chubb has had a mixture of performances this season, averaging 3.1 yards per attempt and 41.6 yards per game. Both of those are career lows for the Browns back as he comes off that season-ending knee injury last season.
Jerome Ford will take over as the starting running back, and he immediately made an impact with a 62-yard touchdown run on a 2nd-and-23 play. Ford was the main back for the Browns in the early part of the season and continued to be used as a foil for Chubb throughout the season. He entered today with 367 yards and a touchdown on 80 carries. He averages 4.6 yards per attempt and has added 166 yards on 30 receptions.
Rome rushes for the 62 yard tuddy 😤 #KCvsCLE on CBS and NFL+ pic.twitter.com/S62I9xzogE
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 15, 2024
It was confirmed after the game by head coach Kevin Stefanski that Chubb had suffered a broken foot, another massive blow for the veteran RB who was returning from a serious injury the year before.
What Is the Fantasy Impact of Chubb’s Injury?
Ford is the running back who figures to soak up usage, and that’s interesting, given his ability to produce in the passing game.
Since the move to Jameis Winston, this is a high-volume passing attack, and that puts Ford in a position to earn a fantasy-viable role (think something like 12-15 carries and 4-6 targets).
This offense will remain sporadic, but Ford would be in a position to pay off your loyalty should Chubb be held out.
