Nick Chubb‘s damage is predicted to sideline him for the remainder of the season. The standout Browns operating again is believed to have suffered a number of ligament tears, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports.
It’s not identified which ligaments are torn, however the cart popping out to move Chubb off the sector in Pittsburgh pointed to this end result. Extra exams are on faucet for Chubb, however he’s unlikely to play once more till 2024. Kevin Stefanski quickly confirmed Chubb is predicted to be out for the season.
Chubb’s contract runs by the 2024 season, however this can clearly deal a blow to his profession and the Browns’ 2023 season. This is identical knee Chubb damage whereas at Georgia. In October 2015, Chubb tore the MCL, PCL and LCL in his left knee.
He got here again to re-establish his standing with the Bulldogs and has since grow to be one of many NFL’s greatest operating backs. However the perennial Professional Bowler might be going through a street again a lot later in his profession. Chubb will flip 28 in December.
The 2018 second-round choose had entered Week 2 as one of many league’s most sturdy backs. Chubb suffered a sprained MCL in 2020, costing him 4 video games. He missed two contests the next yr as a result of a calf pressure. In any other case, the top-tier again had prevented setbacks and continued to supply every year for the Browns.
Chubb did nicely to safe a three-year, $36.6M extension in July 2021. That deal didn’t prime the market, with Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara and Ezekiel Elliott tied to higher-end contracts at that time. However Chubb collected $20M assured, signing a deal months after he grew to become extension-eligible.
Whereas Chubb had lengthy been taken care off — as the latest RB to signal an eight-figure-per-year extension — he nonetheless participated within the Zoom assembly wherein operating backs mentioned the declining state of their place.
The accidents to Chubb and Saquon Barkley, who suffered a sprained ankle Sunday, will solely intensify the eye given to the place.
Whereas the likes of Michael Vick, Randall Cunningham and Russell Wilson sit above Chubb for profession yards per carry, the fashionable Browns dynamo is in elite firm amongst operating backs traditionally on this division.
Chubb got here into Monday evening with a 5.3-yard common, by no means ending a season south of 5 yards per tote. For post-merger backs, solely Jamaal Charles (5.4) resides above Chubb.
The Browns made some modifications behind Chubb this offseason, letting Kareem Hunt and D’Ernest Johnson stroll in free company. Hunt had been Chubb’s backup since his private conduct suspension ended halfway by the 2019 season, whereas Johnson performed behind each the standout backs in Cleveland.
Johnson is now a Jaguar, whereas Hunt stays unsigned. Hunt has spoken to the Colts, Saints and Vikings however has not signed wherever. Contemplating his expertise in Stefanski’s system, a signing wouldn’t precisely be off the radar.
However Cleveland used Jerome Ford as Chubb’s major backup in Pittsburgh. Ford totaled 106 yards on 16 carries. The Browns additionally obtained Pierre Sturdy by way of commerce from the Patriots in August. An Alabama signee who transferred to Cincinnati, Ford posted a 1,300-yard season to assist the Bearcats grow to be the primary Group of 5 group to advance to the School Soccer Playoff in 2021.
Final season, the Browns gave the fifth-round rookie solely 15 carries. Ford, who clocked a 4.46-second 40-yard sprint on the 2022 Mix, must be anticipated to cleared the path for a Browns group that has additionally misplaced veteran proper deal with starter Jack Conklin. The previous top-10 choose suffered ACL and MCL tears in Week 1.
