The Cleveland Browns will be without star running back Nick Chubb for at least the first four weeks of the season, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter:
Chubb has been on the PUP list throughout the offseason and preseason but has been progressing with his rehab. His injury occurred in Week 2 of last season against the Steelers, so it has been almost a full year since the incident. However, the severity of the injury required two surgeries to repair the damage. He needed repairs to both his MCL and meniscus, and a subsequent surgery to repair his ACL. His recovery was also more complex since this is the second major injury to the same knee.
While the team is pleased with his overall progress and is optimistic he will play this season, they won’t rush him back. Leaving him on the PUP list means that he will miss games against the Cowboys, Jaguars, Giants and Raiders and be first eligible to return in Week 5 against the Commanders in Washington.
There’s no guarantee that he’ll be ready at that point, but that is the earliest fantasy owners can hope he gets back on the field. Chubb is +1200 to win Comeback Player of the Year, and he’ll get a late start in that race since he’ll be out the first few weeks of the year.
While Chubb is out, Jerome Ford ($5,500) will lead the backfield, as he did last year after Chubb’s injury. The Browns also added D’Onta Foreman ($4,900) for backfield depth this offseason, but he sustained a rib injury on Saturday which makes his status uncertain for Week 1. Pierre Strong Jr. ($4,000) could also be in the mix, but he’s also coming off a rib injury in Preseason Week 2. With so many injury questions in the backfield, the Browns may opt to keep undrafted free agent Aiden Robbins ($4,000) in the mix as well.
The Browns running backs could offer good DFS value in Week 1 including in the NFL $4M Fantasy Football Millionaire [$1M to 1st]. They’ll be facing the Cowboys, and it looks like Ford should have a relatively clear path to playing time. Last year, he produced double-digit fantasy points in 11 of his 17 games played after Chubb’s injury.
In Week 1, Chubb’s Browns are -2.5 at home against Dallas. Ford is +800 to score the first touchdown and +155 to be an anytime touchdown scorer.
On the team futures market, the Browns are +145 to make the playoffs and +550 to win the AFC North. The Browns are +200 to Score 1+ TD in Every Regular Season Game and +6500 to Score 1+ rushing TD in Every Regular Season Game on the Team Specials market.
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
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