Alex Padilla
2 min read • May 08, 2024
Posted in
The Cleveland Browns could be getting ready for life without Nick Chubb.
First, the Browns restructured his contract which resulted in a significant amount of cap savings of $9.925 million. It was not a contract extension and he is still scheduled to be a free agent after the 2024 season.
Secondly, the Browns currently have four other running backs on their roster. Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong are both returning, and the team signed Nyheim Hines and D'Onta Foreman.
And most importantly, Chubb suffered a gruesome knee injury in week 2 of the 2023 season. Chubb suffered multi-ligament tears and underwent multiple surgeries. He underwent a procedure to correct the medial capsule, meniscus, and MCL in September and another in November to repair the ACL.
The Browns anticipate that Chubb will be available at some point in 2024.
Browns General Manager Andrew Berry said, "He's doing a really nice job in his rehab. Still has got a long way to go, but he's progressing nicely given this point in time."
Our panel of Pro Football Docs believe his injury is closer to career-ending than Chubb ever making a full recovery. Chubb’s days as a workhorse running back appear to be done with this now being his second major knee injury of his career. While at Georgia in 2015, Chubb tore his MCL, PCL, and LCL.
It would be hard for Chubb to be the main back and he will likely struggle going forward.
The Browns will likely rely on Ford to start 2024. In 2023, Ford totaled 1,132 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns.
Written by Alex Padilla