The Athletic's Zac Jackson writes that the Cleveland Browns have options with their roster management and don't need to rush running back Nick Chubb (knee) back for the start of the 2024 season. But if Chubb returns to practice at any point during training camp, he'll be activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list and would have to be on the 53-man active roster to start the regular season. Chubb has been a superstar for the Browns who has consistently produced -- his career average of 5.3 yards per carry ranks seventh-best by any player since 1946 -- but he's recovering from a torn ACL, MCL and meniscus in his left knee, the same one in which he previously tore his ACL in college. The fact that the 28-year-old doesn't have a timetable and remains a candidate to open the year on the PUP list (and miss at least the first four games), makes him a risky RB3/flex in fantasy in 2024.
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (knee) was officially placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list on Wednesday. Nothing has changed in terms of Chubb's timetable for a return from last year's Week 2 dislocated knee and torn MCL, as there remains no word regarding the likelihood of his Week 1 availability for this season. The 28-year-old Pro Bowl running back is being drafted 134th overall on average in fantasy drafts this summer, per RotoBaller, with the idea that he may not be ready for the outset of the campaign. Entering his age-29 year and coming off his second major knee surgery, Chubb is one of 2024's top wild cards with a wide range of potential outcomes as an RB3/4 gamble. At the moment, Jerome Ford looks like a decent value pick in the later rounds as the likely lead back for the Browns for any games Chubb may be inactive for.
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (knee) is expected to be placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list to begin training camp. It's worth noting that Browns' general manager Andrew Berry said Chubb is progressing well from his torn ACL. The Browns are able to activate Chubb at any point, but it sounds like there is still more work to be done. At the moment, it is uncertain if Chubb will be available by Week 1. If he misses time, Jerome Ford is likely to become the workhorse back in Cleveland. Fantasy managers should have Ford on their radar with Chubb still rehabbing his knee.
Nick Chubb Making Good Progress After Knee Surgery
An Instagram post on Monday morning showed Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (knee) doing two squat reps with what appears to be a total of 12 45-pound plates on a Tsunami Max bar. It's especially impressive, considering Chubb suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Week 2 game against the Steelers on Sept. 18 of last year that required two surgeries -- one to fix damage to his MCL, the medial capsule and meniscus, and the second to fix his ACL. The four-time pro Bowler suffered a similar injury, except for the torn ACL, in the same knee at Georgia in 205. Chubb isn't putting a timetable on his return but also didn't dismiss the possibility of being ready for Week 1 against Dallas this fall. He started running in April but didn't do any on-field work during OTAs or minicamp. The 28-year-old is likely to be eased in this year, which makes him more of a risky RB3 in fantasy than a surefire RB1.
Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry said that running back Nick Chubb (knee) is "progressing nicely" in his recovery from the gruesome knee injury that he suffered in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023. However, Berry also said Chubb "still has a long way to go" in his rehab. Chubb resumed running on land a few weeks ago, but it remains to be seen if he'll be ready for the start of training camp this summer. The Browns didn't take a RB in this year's draft but added D'Onta Foreman and pass-catching back Nyheim Hines in free agency. Cleveland also has Jerome Ford as an option to help ease Chubb back into the fold if he's still not 100 percent early on in 2024. Before his injury, Chubb as a no-doubt RB1, but that will be in question this fall as he comes off his season-ending injury.
Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry said that running back Nick Chubb (knee) has started running on land within the last week and is progressing appropriately after he suffered a gruesome season-ending knee injury in Week 2 of last year. The next few weeks and months will be big for Chubb's return in 2024. The 28-year-old is entering the third and final season of his current deal in Cleveland, but there remains no timetable for his return after such a significant injury in 2023. Chubb had multiple surgeries last fall to fix ACL, MCL and meniscus injuries to his left knee. We don't know right now if Chubb will be ready for Week 1, but the best guess is that if he is, he'll be eased back in alongside D'Onta Foreman, Nyheim Hines and Jerome Ford.
While Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (knee) has been working hard in the weight room, there's no timetable yet for his return in 2024. "I don't know that we'll go past today and this week at least that's the way I'm looking at it," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "I can promise you he's working very hard early in the morning. He's here, he's attacking his rehab. That's the best way I can put it. When he's ready, he'll be ready." The 28-year-old suffered a gruesome season-ending knee injury in Week 2 of last year. While he'll be sticking around with the team in 2024, it's unclear if he'll be ready by training camp this summer or if the Browns will be forced to ease him into the fold in the opening portion of the 2024 campaign. Because of the uncertainty around how Chubb will bounce back, it will make him an extremely risky RB1 in fantasy.
The Cleveland Browns and star running back Nick Chubb (knee) agreed on a reworked contract for the 2024 season on Thursday to lower his base salary of $11.775 million, according to sources. Chubb will have a chance to earn it back via incentives after working his way back from a gruesome season-ending left-knee injury that he suffered in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 28-year-old isn't going anywhere, but he won't be as much of a sure thing as an RB1 in fantasy leagues after tearing his ACL, MCL and meniscus in 2023. Even if he's ready to go for Week 1 this fall for the Browns, Cleveland could choose to ease Chubb in and give more touches to Jerome Ford, D'Onta Foreman and Nyheim Hines. We'll keep a close eye on Chubb's recovery this offseason.
Nick Chubb Expected To Start Load Running Next Month
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (knee) is expected to begin load running in April, according to general manager Andrew Berry. The 28-year-old suffered a torn MCL and damaged ACL in the Week 2 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last season in what looked to be a potential career-ending injury. However, he is looking to bounce back and play again, but there is a lot of time before the start of next season. This will be an ongoing development worth following ahead of fantasy drafts for the 2024 campaign. Cleveland has Jerome Ford on the roster and recently signed veteran D'Onta Foreman, and if Chubb is limited upon his return, he could be utilized as a committee back moving forward.
The Cleveland Browns want to keep running back Nick Chubb (knee) around, but he's also recovering from two surgeries on his injured knee this offseason and is due to carry a salary cap charge of just under $16 million in 2024, the final year of his contract and his age-28 season. The Browns would take on around $4 million in dead money if they were to cut Chubb. The Athletic's Zac Jackson points out that Chubb's contract was structured long before his injury. When healthy, Chubb has been one of the league's best RBs, but the Browns also need to account for every penny on their salary cap now and into the foreseeable future. Chubb will mostly likely be back in 2024, but he'll be a risk/reward fantasy selection coming off a gruesome knee injury early last year.
