Where is Nick Chubb? Browns RB has no timetable to return after devastating knee injury

The Browns will start the 2024 season the same way they played most of the 2023 season — without star running back Nick Chubb.

Chubb suffered a scary and devastating knee injury during Cleveland’s Week 2 game against the Steelers. He looked poised to have another dominant season after rushing for over 100 yards in the opener, but his year was quickly derailed.

Chubb was ruled out for the remainder of the 2023 season with a torn ACL. He underwent two different knee surgeries over the offseason to repair his medial capsule, MCL, ACL, and meniscus.

Miraculously, Chubb is expected to return at some point in the 2024 season. Here’s what we know about when he could rejoin the Browns.

When will Nick Chubb return for Browns?

The Browns placed Chubb on the “physically unable to perform” (PUP) list to start the season, meaning he is required to miss at least the first four games. The expectation is he’ll need more than the initial four weeks to take the field, though.

There is no timetable for Chubb’s return, but Cleveland does expect him to play eventually this season.

The star running back looks like he’s getting back into form. On July 15, the Browns posted a video of Chubb squatting over 600 pounds.

He gave his own injury update after being placed on the PUP list to start the season.

“I feel good,” Chubb told the media. “Every day I come to work out, I move around and feel a lot better.”

It’s not a very descriptive update, but still an encouraging one for a player who suffered a gruesome knee injury less than a year ago.

Chubb’s status will be worth monitoring closer to Week 5 when he is eligible to come off the PUP list.

Browns RB depth chart

2023 interim starter Jerome Ford will assume RB1 duties until Chubb returns.

Ford ended up being a diamond in the rough for the Browns last season. The 2022 fifth-round pick out of Cincinnati rushed for 813 yards and four touchdowns. He also added 319 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns on 44 receptions.

He did a great job spelling Chubb and will continue to hold that role to start the 2024 season. Expect Pierre Strong Jr. and D’Onta Foreman to compete for backup touches.

You can find the Browns’ official depth chart below.