The Cleveland Browns will have to wait for their best offensive weapon. More specifically, running back Nick Chubb will miss at least the first four games as part of his rehab from a season-ending knee injury in 2023.
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Chubb will be back on the Physically Unable to Perform list, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Not a big surprise, as Chubb suffered a pretty severe injury in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers last season.
"The Browns expect Chubb, 28, to play this season but have not given a timeline for his return," wrote Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. "In late July, general manager Andrew Berry said Chubb has 'a little ways to go.' Days before Berry's comments, Chubb was seen running full-speed sprints and doing light agility work in a post-practice workout."
Cleveland finished 11-6 and advanced to the first round of the playoffs last season, doing most of it without Chubb and quarterback Deshaun Watson, who missed most of the year with a shoulder injury. Watson didn't play in any of the three preseason games but is expected to be a go for the Browns' opener on Sept. 8 vs. the Dallas Cowboys.
The Browns are likely to use Jerome Ford as the starter in Chubb's absence.
"Chubb, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, had rushed for more than 1,000 yards in four straight seasons before 2023, including a career-high 1,525 yards in 2022," Oyefusi wrote. "It's his second significant left knee injury; he also tore his MCL, PCL and LCL at the University of Georgia in 2015."
Meanwhile, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski did tell reporters on Monday starting offensive tackles Jedrick Wills Jr. and Jack Conklin will be activated from the PUP list ahead of the roster cutdown deadline. Both will be eligible to play in the opener.
