CLEVELAND — Nick Chubb faces another challenging recovery ahead. The celebrated running back for the Cleveland Browns, who previously made a strong comeback from a serious knee injury last season, sustained a fractured left foot during the third quarter of the team’s recent 21-7 defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Chubb was seen leaving Huntington Bank Field with the aid of crutches and a walking boot, raising concerns among coaches, teammates, and fans alike. Former Browns player Kareem Hunt, who formed a close bond with Chubb during their time together, expressed his disbelief and concern regarding the latest injury. “That is insane. I didn’t even know that,” said Hunt, who had a modest performance of 45 yards on 13 carries. “I’m going to pray for him, man. It’s been a tough journey for him to get back, but if anybody can overcome it and bounce back, it’s him.”
Defensive end Myles Garrett, who had to leave the field temporarily due to an eye injury in the first half, shared his heartbreak for Chubb. “It just goes from bad to worse, man,” Garrett lamented. “The man fights back from injury. He does it. There’s not a more hard-working, resilient individual in the locker room. And he has continued to face adversity like this.”
The exact moment of Chubb’s injury remains uncertain. He gained 8 yards on a run shortly after the start of the third quarter, mere minutes after an interception that resulted from a pass slipping off his hands. On Cleveland’s subsequent drive, he was stripped of the ball by Kansas City linebacker Leo Chanel, leading to a fumble. Coach Kevin Stefanski speculated that Chubb may have been stepped on during the game.
This season has been tough for the Browns, with Chubb’s return serving as one of the few positives. His 2023 campaign came to a heartbreaking end in Week 2 when he suffered a significant injury to the same knee he had previously harmed while playing college football at Georgia. Chubb underwent two surgeries to repair damaged ligaments, a meniscus tear, and other complications.
True to his character, the dedicated and humble Chubb pushed through his rehabilitation, returning earlier than expected. He made his season debut in Week 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals. “I have gotten to have a first-row seat to what he has been able to do,” Stefanski remarked. “I can’t tell you how much I respect him as a person, what he means to this football team. I know this is just another obstacle that he will overcome.”
Despite not showcasing the same explosive speed that characterized his early performance in the league, Chubb—who has compiled 6,843 rushing yards since 2018—was insistent this week that he did not wish to stop playing this season in preparation for 2025. Now faced with another setback, Chubb’s future is increasingly uncertain.
As a four-time Pro Bowler, he will be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent after the current season. He has expressed a desire to conclude his career with the Browns, the team that selected him in the second round of the draft six years ago. “It’s tough to see because he’s one of the cornerstones,” Garrett noted. “He’s every bit a part of the foundation as myself and Denzel (Ward). We want to be there for him in every way possible, but it’s a real shame.”
