After nearing 400 days away from football, the Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb is set to return this Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Nick Chubb + Cleveland = Perfect Match@NickChubb | @PlayersTribune pic.twitter.com/wImcWRwM1w
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 16, 2024
Chubb last saw the field in Week 2 of the 2023 NFL season, when he suffered a brutal injury on Monday Night Football against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In one play, Chubb tore his MCL, ACL, and meniscus and damaged his medial capsule. This injury required two separate surgeries: one for the MCL, meniscus, and medial capsule and another for the ACL.
With the Browns falling to 1-5 after a tough loss to the Eagles on Sunday, the next game is a must-win for Cleveland. With him now set to return, Chubb wrote a heartfelt letter to the city of Cleveland and fans of the Browns. He spent the first part of his letter really opening up about his emotions from when he first suffered the injury.
“When I was lying on the ground against Pittsburgh, I wasn’t so naive anymore. I had so many metal nails and plates in my knee from the first one. I’m thinking: Please don’t let those nails be splintered all over my leg right now. I knew what rehab from something like this actually meant. I knew what nine weeks in a straight-knee brace does to a leg. When I finally got out and saw my leg the first time, it had atrophied down to the size of my arm. I thought I was never gonna walk the same again, let alone run.”
The entire letter is worth reading, with Chubb truly opening up about what is easily a traumatic moment in this life. He talks about how he had no guaranteed money left, and the Browns had all of the leverage, but they never considered cutting him because of how much he means to the city. With that type of support from the front office, fans, and the city, it is clear that Chubb has made a major impact.
He closed his letter like this, “That’s enough talking for me. There’s only one thing left to do now. I gotta pay ya back. These rocks ain’t going to move themselves. Let’s work.”
😤🧡🤎@NickChubb | @PlayersTribune pic.twitter.com/Xj0drdRnDJ
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 16, 2024
Chubb, 28, is one of the best pure running backs in the NFL. With 6,511 career rushing yards, 52 total touchdowns, and a career average of 5.3 yards per carry, it is clear how much of an offensive impact he has. It will be an emotional return for Chubb, as the Browns will be at home on Sunday. Hopefully, the Browns will have their RB back on the field, reviving an offense that desperately needs life.
