WATCH: Video surfaces as Nick Chubb suffers horrifying leg injury on MNF game vs. Steelers
Nick Chubb suffered a horrific leg injury while playing for the Cleveland Browns against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football. He was one of the brightest sparks for Cleveland in the first half as the team relied on him to keep picking up the yards.
In one play, as he barreled towards the endzone, he was stopped by Minkah Fitzpatrick. His leg got caught underneath and bent from the knee at an unnatural angle. At one point, his upper body was nearly perpendicular to his lower leg, pivoting around the knee area. The replay was so graphic that the broadcasters refused to show it.
Note: Some might find the video distressing
What impact will this injury have on Nick Chubb's career?
Nick Chubb is just 27 years old, but can already be considered a seasoned veteran. He entered the league in 2018 and has since made it to four Pro Bowls. He was an All-Pro last year as well.
The second-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft has been a revelation. He's averaged 5.3 yards per carry, which is the highest among anyone in the league in that period. He is one of the reasons why the Cleveland Browns have been able to establish themselves as a competitive franchise in the past few years and shed the tag of perennial losers.
However, looking at the severity of his leg injury, one cannot help but wonder what comes next. One of the reasons franchises get new running backs instead of using veterans is because they do not want to pay big money to players who can get injuries like this.
Nick Chubb signed a $36.6 million extension with the team in 2021 for three years and will be a free agent in a couple of seasons. However, when he comes back from the injury, he might have lost some of his pace and may not be able to change directions as easily. This could have severe implications for his career.