At the end of their 2024 training camp the Cleveland Browns had to cut their roster down to 53 players. Their star running back Nick Chubb has been sidelined with a severe knee injury since week 2 of the 2023 season.  Since that infamous injury on Monday Night Football in Pittsburgh, Chubb had to undergo two major knee surgeries. His last one was in mid-November of 2023. He has been rehabbing since the last surgery. On the roster cutdown day last month, the Cleveland Browns placed Nick Chubb on the active PUP (physically unable to perform) list. That means he is eligible to return to the Browns active roster in week 5 of this season. But will he be ready?

On last Wednesday’s press conference Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski was asked if Nick Chubb will be ready to return next week after the Raiders game? His answer was “We’ll see when we get to next week. He’s doing well.”. Coach Stefanski is known for giving non-answers when asked about players injury status. I am giving him the benefit of the doubt. I think Coach Stefanski isn’t completely sure on Nick Chubb’s return. So, he can’t publicly commit to Chubb’s availability to play. One beat reporter did give her thoughts on when Chubb will be back on the field for the Browns.

Longtime Browns beat reporter for Cleveland.com Mary Kay Cabot has said that she anticipates his return to be around week 7 or 8. That would be either the Cincinnati or Baltimore game. Just because he is eligible to return it doesn’t mean that he will. The best indicator of his return is when he is a full participant in practice. He shouldn’t come back until he is ready. And by him practicing it will show his readiness. Until then it is all speculation.