Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb left Monday night’s game between the Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers with a serious injury to his left knee.
On a first-and-goal from the Steelers’ eight yard-line early in the second quarter, Chubb took a handoff from Deshaun Watson and carried up the middle. Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick dove toward Chubb’s legs to wrap him up at the five yard-line — and Chubb immediately went down, grabbing his left leg.
After a delay, Chubb was carted off the field to applause from Steelers fans, who seemed to acknowledge the Browns’ Pro Bowl back had suffered a serious injury — potentially, to the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee. Chubb previously suffered a devastating knee injury with several torn ligaments in 2015, while playing for the University of Georgia Bulldogs.
Chubb, who had already rushed for 64 yards on 10 carries at Acrisure Stadium, was carted off with an air cast on his left leg — a sign that his injury is a severe one, although tests will be needed to confirm.
Stefanski confirms the worst
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed postgame what many watching at home or in Pittsburgh feared immediately: Chubb’s 2023 season is over after two games.
Stefanski told the media that Chubb’s knee injury is serious enough to where the star running back is not expected to return until 2024 — a huge blow for the Browns, who are seeking a return to the NFL playoffs this year.
Chubb drew support from around the sports world following his injury. Quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence and Kyler Murray — the latter recovering from a knee ligament injury himself — posted prayer emojis in their posts on X (formerly Twitter), while NBA superstar LeBron James said he was “praying for the best.”