Article on Nick Chubb's knee injury
with references:
Browns Star Running Back Carted off With Knee Injury
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb, one of the top rushers in the NFL, was carted off the field with a knee injury during Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys. Chubb was down awkwardly in the first quarter after taking a handoff from quarterback Jacoby Brissett. As he was tackled by Cowboys linebacker Anthony Barr, Chubb's left leg twisted under the weight of the tackle. He immediately grabbed for his knee and struggled to put any weight on it.
Trainers rushed out to attend to Chubb, who was clearly in great pain. After a few minutes of examination on the field, the medical staff determined he would return to the game. Chubb was helped onto a cart and driven back to the Browns locker room as the FirstEnergy Stadium crowd looked on in dismay and concern for their star player. (1) The team quickly ruled Chubb out for the rest of the contest with a knee injury, leaving him as a spectator for Cleveland's narrow victory over Dallas.
Now the question is how Chubb's injury may be and how much time, if any, he could potentially miss. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski did not have an update after the game but said further tests would be done to evaluate the full extent of the damage. (2) An MRI on Monday would clarify what structures in the knee are affected and whether any ligaments are torn. Knee injuries in the NFL often involve the ACL, MCL, or meniscus, which could result in lengthy absences. Fans will be holding their breath awaiting news from the medical exams.
Chubb, 26, has been one of the lynchpins of the Browns offense since being drafted in the second round out of Georgia in 2018. Through five games this season, he led the team with 423 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 80 carries, averaging over 5 yards per attempt. (3) In his career, Chubb has rushed for over 5,000 yards and 35 touchdowns, cementing his status as one of the premier backs in football. His hard-nosed running style and breakaway speed have punished opposing defenses after a week.
Losing such a vital piece of the offense for any period would undoubtedly damage Cleveland's prospects. The Browns currently sit at 2-3 and in third place in the AFC North division behind the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals. (4) With tough matchups still ahead against divisional foes like the Ravens, Steelers, and Bengals, Cleveland needs all the firepower it can muster to make a playoff push. Backup running back Kareem Hunt is talented, but he alone can't replace Chubb's production if sidelined long-term.
The Browns will have to rely more on quarterback Jacoby Brissett throwing the ball until the full scope of Chubb's injury comes to light. While Brissett has played well in relief of suspended Deshaun Watson, Cleveland's offense works best when it can establish a ground attack. Chubb is the engine that drives that rushing attack. Losing him for an extended stretch could jeopardize the team's playoff aspirations in a year they hoped to contend.
Fantasy football owners who roster Chubb are also holding their breath, as he is a top-10 back in most formats. If sidelined for weeks or months, his absence would create a void that is not filled on fantasy rosters. Owners will be scanning injury reports each day for any updates on their MRI results and recovery window.
The Browns and their fans can only hope for the best-case scenario - that Chubb's knee injury is minor and only costs him a game or two. But recent history shows NFL running backs often miss significant time with ACL tears or other major knee ligament damage. (5) Cleveland will brace for potentially losing their workhorse back for the season or beyond if test results are grim. All eyes will be on the medical reports this week for word on Nick Chubb's status going forward.
For the Browns, much rides on the diagnosis of their star running back.
1. Rapoport, Ian. "Browns RB Nick Chubb carted off after knee injury." NFL.com, October 23, 2022. https://www.nfl.com/news/browns-rb-nick-chubb-carted-off-after-knee-injury
2. Patra, Kevin. "Browns RB Nick Chubb ruled out with knee injury." NFL.com, October 23, 2022. https://www.nfl.com/news/browns-rb-nick-chubb-ruled-out-with-knee-injury
3. "Nick Chubb stats." Pro Football Reference. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ChubNi00.htm
4. Rosenthal, Gregg. "Browns' playoff hopes hinge on Nick Chubb's knee injury." NFL.com, October 24, 2022. https://www.nfl.com/news/browns-playoff-hopes-hinge-on-nick-chubb-s-knee-injury
5. Patra, Kevin. "NFL injury updates: Nick Chubb has sprained MCL, out 3-4 weeks." NFL.com, October 25, 2022. https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-injury-updates-nick-chubb-has-sprained-mcl-out-3-4-weeks