Running back Nick Chubb of the Cleveland Browns has missed the whole season due to a severe knee injury he sustained in a Week 2 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers last year. The Browns have struggled to find a reliable running back this season; they average only 94.8 rushing yards per week. It is understandable, however, when Browns supporters were a little surprised—after yet another loss this past weekend—to learn that Chubb will soon be returning to Cleveland’s practice.
If Chubb can return from the PUP list soon, it will give Cleveland’s running back room a significant boost. Even while Chubb isn’t slated to return for the Washington Commanders game in Week 5, the same source indicates that, barring any delays, an estimated midseason comeback is all but certain to occur. Chubb just admitted this summer that he thought his recovery was moving too slowly, so it will be good to see him set a concrete comeback date.
In his final season totally healthy with Cleveland back in 2022, Chubb averaged 302 carries for 1,525 yards, good for third overall in total running yards. That changed the game for the Browns offence, which could now organize itself more around a ground and pound approach and depend less on a heroic quarterback play. Returning Chubb to a squad that has been having trouble consistently getting yards or points from Deshaun Watson or its receivers will be a tremendous relief.
Chubb is unquestionably a superior running back. He has demonstrated that he is capable of competing with guys like Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley at the highest level for his position. However, will Chubb be a significant momentum swinger for this Cleveland Browns club that is having trouble? It’s uncertain, particularly given how much Watson has battled to make plays even when he has a clean pocket and how much this O-line has struggled to give Watson any room to work with.
The current running back tandem of D’Onta Foreman and Jerome Ford for the Browns has also produced some uneven outcomes. Foreman has been counted on for a few carries every game, but Ford is now Cleveland’s clear-cut best backup option. Week 4 saw Ford have one of his greatest performances to date as he demonstrated his versatility as a receiver in this offence, adding 58 running yards to his total of 27 receiving yards.
Nevertheless, Cleveland’s scoring has not been able to get going despite this. Despite Chubb’s injury, the Browns’ offence seems to be stuck in this pattern after four weeks. It’s difficult to generate big plays when there isn’t enough room to manoeuvre. Even while he presents another danger in the backfield, it’s clear that there are more issues than just the need for a better running back. If the O-line doesn’t get better, Chubb will probably have trouble making an impact when he gets back.
