Cleveland star running back Nick Chubb had to be carted off the field after suffering a serious leg injury early in the second quarter of the Browns’ Monday night game against the host Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Browns ruled Chubb out but didn’t immediately divulge the extent of the injury. The ABC television broadcast crew said they weren’t showing any replays of the injury due to the graphic nature.
After Pittsburgh pulled out a 26-22 win, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said, “Obviously, Nick’s got a very significant knee injury. … You feel for him as a person. He’s a great football player as we know, but he’s an even better person. We will support him every step of the way.”
Multiple media outlets reported that Chubb is expected to miss the remainder of the season.
Chubb rushed up the middle for a gain of 5 yards with 14:14 left in the second and was in the process of being tackled by Pittsburgh linebacker Cole Holcomb when safety Minkah Fitzpatrick dropped his shoulder and ran directly into Chubb’s left knee.
The hit by Fitzpatrick caused Chubb’s leg to bend, and Chubb sat up and grabbed his knee and could be heard yelling in anguish through the field microphones.
Fitzpatrick also needed assistance after the play. He later left the game in the second half due to a chest injury.
Chubb suffered a significant injury to the same knee while at Georgia in 2015.
Chubb rushed for 64 yards on 10 carries before exiting. He has 170 yards on 28 carries this season.
The four-time Pro Bowler topped 1,000 rushing yards in each of the past four seasons, including a career-high 1,525 last season. Chubb had 996 yards as a rookie in 2018 before beginning his streak of 1,000-yard seasons.
Jerome Ford replaced Chubb on Monday and gained 106 yards on 16 carries and also caught a touchdown pass. Pierre Strong also ran for a touchdown.
Cleveland’s second-leading rusher from last season, Kareem Hunt, is currently a free agent. Hunt had 468 yards and three touchdowns on 123 carries during the 2022 campaign, also hauling in 35 catches for 210 yards and a score.
–Field Level Media
