The Browns placed four-time Pro Bowl selection Nick Chubb on the PUP list to start training camp as the superstar running back continues to work his way back from his knee injury.
Chubb’s injury happened in Week 2 of last season against the Steelers, so he’s almost a year removed from the injury and still has a chance to be ready to play Week 1. Reports on his recovery have been positive, but it was an especially catastrophic knee injury since he tore his ACL, MCL, medial capsule and meniscus and required two surgeries to repair all the damage.
Chubb’s recovery is further complicated by the fact that this is his second major knee injury. In 2015 when he was playing for Georgia, Chubb dislocated his left knee, resulting in a torn PCL, MCL, and LCL. The good news is that he’s done the recovery before and been strong and productive, but the bad news is that it’s the second time his knee will have to recover from a significant reconstruction.
Before his injury last year, Chubb only had 28 carries but had run for 170 yards. He had been relatively healthy in his previous seasons, totaling over 1,000 rushing yards in four straight years and coming off a career-best 1,525 yards in 2022 with 13 total touchdowns.
Whenever he’s able to return to action, he’ll be a key part of the Browns offense and bring elite running back production, but fans will want to monitor his progress closely throughout training camp and the preseason. The fact that he’s starting camp on the PUP list isn’t much of a surprise but does speak to the recovery that still lies ahead.
Right now in Best Ball contests, Chubb is being taken as the No. 32 running back off the board with an ADP of 107.8. He could end up being a great value at that draft spot even if he does miss some time early in the season.
If Chubb is slow to recover or needs extra time, the Browns will give more work to Jerome Ford, D’Onta Foreman and Nyheim Hines. Ford had a solid season with 204 carries, 813 yards and four touchdowns last season while filling in for Chubb and Foreman was added as an offseason addition after he had a solid season in Chicago. Hines was another offseason pickup, and he brings intriguing big-play upside, but he is also starting the year with an injury recovery ahead of him after being placed on the NFI (non-football-injury) list.
On the DraftKings Sportsbook, the Browns are +150 to make the playoffs and are +600 to win the difficult AFC North. Their win total is set at 8.5 with the over at -135 odds. Getting Chubb back healthy would definitely be a key step to their success and an important development for fantasy football, so be sure to monitor his health as the Browns get ready to start their season with a Week 1 contest on September 8 against the Cowboys.
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
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