On week 2 of the 2023 NFL season, the Cleveland Browns played the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Early in the second quarter of the game, Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb suffered a gruesome season ending knee injury after a hit from Steelers safety Mika Fitzpatrick. The injury was so disturbing ESPN wouldn’t broadcast the replay. The Cleveland Browns and their fans were devasted to lose Chubb for the season.

After the injury Nick Chubb had two surgeries to repair his knee. One was in early October and the second was in mid-November of 2023. Browns fans were hoping that Chubb could be back at some point in 2024. Earlier in the offseason, videos of Nick Chubb rehabbing his knee were leaked on social media. Much of the videos show Nick Chubb still being a superhuman athlete.  Browns fans were excited that Chubb could be available early in the 2024 season. And the leaked videos weren’t the only reason for Browns fans optimism.

In the offseason the Cleveland Browns and Nick Chubb agreed to a restructuring of the final year of his contract. Most of his guaranteed money was put in incentives for the 2024 season. This reason alone was why many fans, reporters, and podcasters thought Nick Chubb would be back in Browns lineup early in the 2024 season. Based on Nick Chubb’s recent roster designation, his return may not be as early as we had hoped.

The Cleveland Browns as an organization did Nick Chubb a solid by restructuring his contract and not releasing him. He is ahead of schedule on his rehab; however, Chubb doesn’t appear ready to return by week 1 of the 2024 NFL Season. It is being reported as I write this article that Nick Chubb will start the season on the reserve PUP (physically unable to perform) list. This means that the earliest he can return is week 5 of this season. The Cleveland Browns this season are being cautious with all their players and Nick Chubb will be no different. He will return when he is ready to play. Hopefully, for the Cleveland Browns and their fans. Chubb will be ready week 5 at Washington DC.