Over the past four seasons, Chubb has finished on a per-game basis between seventh and 12th in PPR and fifth and eighth in non-PPR. He'll enter the 2023 season still just 27 years old (28 in December) and, as of this writing, without having to share touches with Kareem Hunt. Not that sharing was a big problem -- Chubb has reliably averaged at least 15.8 carries per game since 2019, a trend that should continue. Even with Deshaun Watson for six games last year, Chubb averaged fine metrics (17.0 carries, 4.8 yards per carry). He just didn't score any rushing touchdowns, though he did catch a TD. The veteran runner deserves the benefit of the doubt as Cleveland's offense should be more efficient in the red zone this year with Watson, plus Chubb hasn't shown any signs of slowing down. He's a safe pick around 22nd overall in PPR leagues and 14th overall in non-PPR.
The Browns announced Tuesday that Chubb underwent a successful surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee.
The procedure was Chubb's second since he suffered the season-ending knee injury in the Browns' 26-22 loss to the Steelers on Sept. 18. He had his first surgery Sept. 29 on his meniscus and MCL, but under the recommendation of doctors, he waited another six weeks before addressing the torn ACL. Chubb is without an official timeline to return to football activities, but the Browns previously relayed after the first surgery that the running back is expected to be available for game action at some point during the 2024 season. Jerome Ford has taken over as the Browns' primary option out of the backfield while Chubb has been sidelined, with Kareem Hunt and Pierre Strong serving as change-of-pace options behind Ford.
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Browns' Nick Chubb: Undergoes knee surgery Friday
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Chubb (knee, IR) underwent surgery to repair his torn MCL and meniscus Friday, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.
The Browns announced Friday's surgery also repaired damage to Chubb's medial capsule. The star running back was injured back in Week 2 and will require a second surgery "in the coming months" to repair his ACL, per Kelsey Russo of the team's official site. The team believes Chubb will be able to return to play "at some point" in 2024. Cleveland recently brought back Kareem Hunt to work with Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong in its backfield. Deon Jackson also signed with the practice squad.
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Browns' Nick Chubb: Optimism about post-injury outlook
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Chubb, who was placed on injured reserve Wednesday and won't return for the 2023 season, appears to have avoided the worst-case scenario regarding his left knee injury and could be ready to return to start next season, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
The gruesome knee injury Chubb suffered in Monday's loss to the Steelers looked to be something that could put the running back's status for this season and beyond in question, but there's growing sentiment that the four-time Pro Bowler avoided an ACL tear and dislocated knee and is instead dealing with a torn MCL. The Browns are expected to have further clarity regarding the recovery timeline after Chubb undergoes surgery to repair his knee next week, when doctors can assess the rest of the damage more closely. While a torn MCL is still a serious injury and is expected to entail a 6-to-8-month recovery, Chubb should have a good chance at being cleared ahead of training camp in 2024 if no other additional ligament damage is detected once he has his surgery.
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Browns' Nick Chubb: Placed on IR
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The Browns placed Chubb (knee) on injured reserve Wednesday.
Though Cleveland has yet to provide a precise diagnosis for the left knee injury that Chubb sustained in Monday's loss to the Steelers, Josina Anderson of CBS Sports relays that the running back is dealing with damage to ligaments and his meniscus and could require two surgeries. Chubb will be shut down for the remainder of the season, and in response to the loss of their top back, the Browns signed vetearn Kareem Hunt on Wednesday. As Chubb embarks on a lengthy recovery from his knee injury, the Browns will proceed with Jerome Ford as their top back beginning with this Sunday's game against the Titans, per Kelsey Russo of the team's official site. Hunt -- who played for the franchise from 2019 through 2022 -- and Pierre Strong are candidates to pick up reps behind Ford.
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Browns' Nick Chubb: Could require multiple surgeries
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Chubb (knee) could undergo surgery within the next 7-to-10 days and then again several weeks later, Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reports.
The precise diagnosis of Chubb's injury is not completely clear yet, but according to the latest report he also has damage to his meniscus. His injuries are season-ending, which means the star running back will focus on recovery going forward. The 27-year-old notably dislocated and tore the MCL, PCL and LCL in the same knee in October 2015 during his sophomore season at Georgia. Jerome Ford will fill in as the Browns' new feature back in the immediate future, but Cleveland is still expected to bring in another veteran option at the position.
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Browns' Nick Chubb: Confirmed out for season
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Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed Tuesday that Chubb will undergo season-ending surgery on his left knee after the running back exited Monday's 26-22 loss to the Steelers with the injury, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Chubb carried 10 times for 64 yards before going down with the gruesome injury two plays into the second quarter, when his knee bent awkwardly on a hit by Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. The star running back was carted off the field, and as anticipated, initial tests on Chubb's knee revealed a season-ending injury. Until the results of Chubb's MRI are read, the Browns may not provide a precise diagnosis for the injury, but the 27-year-old notably dislocated and tore the MCL, PCL and LCL in the same knee in October 2015 during his sophomore season at Georgia. With Chubb lost for the season, Stefanski told Cabot that Jerome Ford will step in as the Browns' new feature back, though the coach suggested that Cleveland will still look to add another back to the 53-man roster.
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Browns' Nick Chubb: Likely out for season
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Chubb likely sustained a season-ending left knee injury during Monday's loss at Pittsburgh, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Immediately after he took a helmet to the knee from Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, Chubb was clutching at his left leg, and trainers made their way on the field to tend to him before he was carted off. Chubb is believed to have suffered multiple ligament tears to the same knee that was dislocated and sustained MCL, LCL and PCL tears in October 2015 while at Georgia. While Cleveland will be without Chubb for the rest of the campaign, his likely replacement in the backfield is Jerome Ford, who had 19 touches for 131 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown Monday.
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Browns' Nick Chubb: Tops century mark in Week 1 win
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Chubb rushed 18 times for 106 yards and caught all four of his targets for 21 yards in Sunday's 24-3 win over the Bengals.
Chubb topped 100 yards on the ground after doing so seven times last season, and his four catches would have been Chubb's second-highest total in 2022, so the star running back's usage in this low-scoring season opener was highly encouraging. Jerome Ford actually got 15 carries, but he rushed for just 36 yards and lost a fumble, so Ford poses little threat to Chubb's workload. Cleveland's workhorse back will try to pick up his first touchdown of the season on Monday Night Football in Week 2 against a Steelers team that just allowed 152 rushing yards and a touchdown to San Francisco RB Christian McCaffrey.
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Browns' Nick Chubb: Not in line to play Saturday
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Chubb isn't expected to see action in Saturday's preseason finale against the Chiefs, James Palmer of NFL Network reports.
With top backup Jerome Ford dealing with a hamstring injury, it looks like the Browns plan to play it safe with Chubb on Saturday. As a result, Demetric Felton, John Kelly, Hassan Hall and Jordan Wilkins should have an opportunity versus Kansas City to support their cases for depth slotting in the team's backfield ahead of Week 1. Once the regular season starts Sept. 10 against the Bengals, Chubb will remain entrenched as Cleveland's top RB option, a context that should provide him with consistent weekly volume in terms of snaps and touches.
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Browns' Nick Chubb: Not in line to face Eagles
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Chubb isn't slated to play in Thursday's preseason contest against the Eagles.
With Chubb and fellow RB Jerome Ford (hamstring) among the Browns' key players not in line to see action Thursday, Demetric Felton, John Kelly, Hassan Hall and Jordan Wilkins are available to log carries. Chubb's final opportunity to see preseason work arrives on Saturday, Aug. 26 against the Chiefs.
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Browns' Nick Chubb: In line to rest Friday
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Chubb is not in line to see action in Friday's preseason contest against the Commanders, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Per Cabot, top wideout Amari Cooper is also likely to be rested in the contest. With Jerome Ford (hamstring) unavailable Friday, Demetric Felton, John Kelly and Hassan Hall are slated to handle the team's backfield duties versus Washington.
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Browns' Nick Chubb: Could handle third downs
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Running backs coach Stump Mitchell suggested Chubb will play third downs this season, while head coach Kevin Stefanski said he isn't sure who will handle the role, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
The Browns need to take Chubb off the field at least occasionally, and it makes sense to do it when the odds of a run play are lowest. On the other hand, their backfield offers minimal NFL experience behind him now that Kareem Hunt is gone, so Chubb may end up being the only one trusted to pass block and know all of his assignments. Jerome Ford is on track for the second spot on the depth chart, following a rookie season in which he got eight carries and nary a target. The Browns also have 2020 sixth-round Demetric Felton, who played some WR in college and could be the choice if the Browns decide to prioritize receiving skills over blocking and size. It sounds like Chubb's position coach expects him to handle at least a portion of the snaps in clear passing situations, which might be enough to elevate him to the elite tier of running backs for fantasy football. The 27-year-old has arguably been the most effective runner in the league since he was drafted -- five straight seasons with at least 996 yards, eight TDs and 5.0 YPC -- and he's also been reasonably efficient with his limited targets, catching 119 of 158 (75.3 percent) with 11 career drops, 8.3 YPR and 6.3 YPT.
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Browns' Nick Chubb: Likely to rest Thursday
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Chubb and fellow running back Jerome Ford aren't expected to receive many, if any snaps in Thursday's preseason opener against the Jets, Anthony Poisal of the Browns' official site reports.
The Browns have little reason to expose Chubb or any of their other top skill players to contact in the exhibition opener, so expect the lead back to be a spectator Thursday. In that scenario, look for Demetric Felton, John Kelly, Nate McCrary and Hassan Hall to handle most of the backfield touches versus the Jets and make their case for depth slotting. Assuming he can stay healthy, Chubb has a clear path to a heavy workload for Cleveland out of the gate once the regular season starts.
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Browns' Nick Chubb: Tops 100 total yards to end season
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Chubb rushed the ball 12 times for 77 yards in Sunday's 28-14 loss to the Steelers. He added five receptions on six targets for 45 yards and a touchdown.
Chubb paced the Browns backfield in carries and yards, though he ended up with fewer than 15 carries for the fifth time in his last nine games. Despite facing a tough Pittsburgh run defense, he managed to work efficiently and ripped off big gains of 19 and 15 yards. Chubb also tallied his 13th total touchdown and first receiving score of the season on a two-yard catch early in the fourth quarter. He ends the campaign with 1,520 rushing yards -- the highest mark of his career -- and will be back to lead the Cleveland backfield in 2023.
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Browns' Nick Chubb: Efficient in 100-yard performance
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Chubb rushed the ball 14 times for 104 yards in Sunday's 24-10 win over the Commanders. He added one reception for 12 yards.
Chubb dominated carries out of the Browns' backfield, though he lost some opportunity to Deshaun Watson -- who finished second on the team with eight rushes. Nevertheless, Chubb was very efficient with his opportunity by averaging 7.4 yards per attempt and turning in long runs of 35 and 14 yards. With the effort, he topped 100 rushing yards for the first time since Week 12, though he has not found the end zone in each of his last five contests.
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Browns' Nick Chubb: Possible Bust (Lineup Decisions)
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Sit Chubb?! It's a dangerous proposition considering just how good of a back he is and the usage he gets. But Cleveland's offense has seemingly gotten worse since Watson took over and their playcalling near the goal line is especially troubling. Have no fear in non-PPR with Chubb -- there just aren't enough backs with his ceiling out there to sit him for. But in full PPR, Chubb fits in as a low-end No. 2 running back given his lack of targets, tough matchup and overall inefficiency since December started.
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Browns' Nick Chubb: Cleared to play Saturday
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Chubb (foot) isn't slated to carry an injury designation for Saturday's game against the Saints, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram and Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer report.
Per coach Kevin Stefanski, Chubb -- who was listed as a 'DNP' Tuesday and Wednesday -- looked good in his return to practice Thursday, which paves the way for the running back to suit up Saturday and continue to lead the Browns' backfield in Week 16. In last weekend's 13-3 win over the Ravens, Chubb carried 21 times for 99 yards, and this time around he'll be facing a New Orleans defense that is allowing an average of 132.6 rushing yards per game to date.
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Browns' Nick Chubb: Back at practice
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Chubb (foot) was present for practice Thursday, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.
Chubb was listed as a non-participant Tuesday and Wednesday, so his return to Thursday's practice is a positive development ahead of Saturday's game against the Saints. The Browns' upcoming injury report will clarify whether the running back heads into the weekend with a Week 16 injury designation or cleared to face New Orleans.
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Browns' Nick Chubb: Dealing with foot issue
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Chubb won't practice Tuesday due to a foot injury, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Chubb hit the 20-carry threshold for the fifth time in 14 appearances this season Sunday against the Ravens, finishing with 99 yards on 21 rushes. His DNP on Tuesday may be maintenance-related as a result, but his status is still somewhat up in the air for Saturday's game against the Saints.
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Browns' Nick Chubb: Racks up 99 yards
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Chubb rushed the ball 21 times for 99 yards in Saturday's 13-3 win over the Ravens.
Despite a tough matchup, Chubb found himself in a positive game environment and put together a solid performance. He had only two rushes of more than 10 yards but still managed a solid 4.7 yards per carry to top 80 rushing yards for just the second time in his last six games. While the performance was positive, of Chubb's six 100-yard rushing performances, only one has come since Week 10. Even with the recent downturn in performance, he now has 1,252 rushing yards -- seven fewer than he posted across 14 games in 2021.
