Browns Will Start Season Without RB Nick Chubb

Running back Nick Chubb will start the season on the physically unable to perform list for the Cleveland Browns, according to a report by Adam Schefter of ESPN. That means Chubb will miss at least the first four games of the 2024 season.

The Cleveland running back is still recovering from the major knee injury that he suffered against the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sept. 18. Steelers linebacker Cole Holcomb was tackling Chubb high and from the right side, when safety Minkah Fitzpatrick came in low and from the left, hitting Chubb on his left knee.

Nick Chubb and Minkah Fitzpatrick are down… pic.twitter.com/Nwy8DxWx2Y

— Matthew (@HildenbrandMa) September 19, 2023

Chubb suffered a torn MCL and damaged ACL in the collision and required extensive surgery. He has yet to return to practice since the injury.

Some around the league blamed Fitzpatrick for Chubb’s injury, but the Browns running back steadfastly did not.

“I don’t think it’s a dirty hit at all,” Chubb said. “You know, I’m not blaming him. It’s part of the game.”

Steelers LB Cole Holcomb and FS Minkah Fitzpatrick tackle Browns RB Nick Chubb, Sept. 19, 2023 – Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

“It’s a game (where) you make decisions in milliseconds,” Fitzpatrick said. “Can’t really control what happens after you choose to make your decision. I already chose to go low. Somebody got on his back when I was going low, and what happened happened.”

Players that start the season on the PUP list must miss at least the first four weeks. At that point, teams have a five-week time period where they can return players to practice. Once a player returns to practice, they have three weeks to decided whether or not to elevate him to the active roster. If that deadline passes, and the player remains on PUP list, they must stay there for the remainder of the season.

Chubb will miss the Browns’ first four game against the Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders. Cleveland has a Week 10 bye, and they will have to make a decision about Chubb before the first game between the Browns and Steelers in Pittsburgh on Week 12.