All-Pro running back Nick Chubb’s road to recovery has been a long one.
The Cleveland Browns star suffered a devastating knee injury early last season, missed 15 games in 2023 and underwent two surgeries to repair two ligaments, a meniscus and his medial capsule.
This week, Chubb took a big step forward in his comeback attempt by returning to practice.
“It didn’t feel real,” Chubb said. “It was like a dream.”
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Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) is taken off the field on a cart after an apparent injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on September 18, 2023. (Charles LeClaire/USA Today Sports)
Chubb also provided an encouraging update on his health, saying his surgically repaired knee responded well to his first training session on the practice turf in over a year.
“I feel like I’ve been standing and fighting this for a while now,” Chubb said Thursday. “It was great to get all that stuff off my chest and finally be able to go back.”
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Even though Chubb has been running and lifting weights in recent months, it’s still unclear when he will suit up for an NFL game.
“I guess we’ll all know at once,” Chubb told reporters.
Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson hands off to running back Nick Chubb in the first quarter against the Bengals on Dec. 11, 2022, in Cincinnati. (Sam Greene/The Enquirer/USA Today Network)
Chubb began the season on the physically unable to perform list and is expected to retain that designation when the Browns face the Washington Commanders on Sunday. By designating him to return to practice, the Browns have a 21-day window to add Chubb to the active roster.
He could be active when Cleveland travels to Philadelphia to face the Eagles in Week 6. But Chubb has his own timetable for when he will play.
“Whenever I feel good,” he said.
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) runs the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on September 18, 2023. (Charles LeClaire/USA Today Sports)
Injuries are nothing new for Chubb, who tore ligaments in the same knee while playing at Georgia in 2015. At some point, he’s going to take a hard hit to the knee, but it’s not something something he fears.
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“Once you get out there and run around, it’s like you’re 8 years old again,” said Chubb, who rushed for 6,511 yards and scored 48 touchdowns. “It’s like riding a bike. It’s not something I have in mind. I mean, you can’t control that.
“I’m going to go out there and play fast.”
The Browns entered Week 5 with a disappointing 1-3 record.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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