Cleveland Browns Just Suffered Massive Blow with Loss of Nick Chubb
Nick Chubb has established himself as one of the NFL’s top big-play running backs in just two seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Last season, he earned his first Pro Bowl nomination. Chubb has performed even better in the 2020 campaign averaging an eye-popping 5.9 yards per carry and is a big reason why the Browns are off to a fast start with a 3-1 record.
On Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys, Chubb suffered a knee injury late in the first quarter and never returned to action as the Browns won 49-38. On Monday, the Browns announced the results of an MRI and it’s not good. Chubb has been placed on IR.
Nick Chubb starts off NFL career strong
The Cleveland Browns drafted Nick Chubb in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Many expected Chubb to come in and immediately impact the Browns offense alongside No. 1 overall pick, quarterback Baker Mayfield. And that’s exactly what he did.
In his first season, Chubb showed his big-play ability early on when he scored twice in Week 4 on runs of 63 and 41 yards. He became the fourth player in NFL history to break 100 yards in three or fewer carries. He wasn’t done. Later in the year, Chubb busted off a 92-yard touchdown run, the longest in Browns’ history.
Chubb finished his rookie season with eight touchdowns, 992 yards and an impressive 5.2 yards per carry. In 2019, the former Georgia star started every game and dramatically improved his second-season totals running for 1,494 yards. He continued making big plays, including an 88-yard touchdown run. He finished the season with eight touchdowns and averaged five yards per carry.
Chubb suffers knee injury against Cowboys
Expectations were high for the Cleveland Browns offense heading into the 2020 season, with Nick Chubb and Baker Mayfield teaming up with new head coach and offensive mind Kevin Stefanski. In the first game, Chubb carried the ball just 10 times, but still managed 60 yards for an impressive 6 yards per tote.
In Weeks 2 and 3, Stefanski altered the game plan and leaned more on his star running back. Against the Cincinnati Bengals, Chubb carried the ball 22 times for 124 yards and a pair of touchdowns. It was much the same in Week 3 against the Washington Football Team. Chubb had 19 carries for 108 yards and two more touchdowns.
In Week 4, the Browns traveled to Texas to face a struggling Cowboys defense. Nick Chubb found success early in the contest rushing for 43 yards on six carries. Then, with a minute remaining in the first quarter, Chubb suffered an injury to his right leg when he was rolled up on in the backfield. He left the game and never returned.
Nick Chubb injury deals huge blow to Cleveland Browns
On Sunday, there was a great deal of speculation after the Brown’s victory on the severity of Nick Chubb’s injury. Could it be season ending? Could it be less serious and he might not miss any time at all?
On Monday, the Cleveland Browns announced Nick Chubb had received an MRI and the results indicated he suffered an MCL injury and was being placed on IR. According to Ian Rapoport, he could miss up to six weeks. While the loss is huge with Chubb out of commission, there is hope with backup running back Kareem Hunt, who led the NFL in rushing just three seasons ago.
Time will tell if the Browns will be able to weather the loss. And they will certainly be tested in the next two weeks as they face two of the AFC’s best teams in Indianapolis and Baltimore.
All stats courtesy of Pro Football Reference.
