Nick Chubb injury update: Should fantasy managers be stressed about Browns RB's ACL recovery?
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb suffered a devastating left knee injury last year after tearing his ACL and MCL early on in the 2023 season. It is the second time he's torn that specific ACL during his NFL career. It ended his season last year, and it will impact his season this year. How should fantasy managers be drafting him and considering him in their roster plans?
Should fantasy managers be worried about Browns RB?
Fantasy managers should be concerned about Nick Chubb. For starters, he's not likely to play for a while. Cleveland officially put him on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list, which means he can't play the first four weeks of the season at the least.
That's the earliest he can return, but that may not be what happens. Many analysts expect Chubb to be out for more than that, and it could be a while before he's given meaningful carries again.
Furthermore, in his absence, Jerome Ford has really stepped up. Ford will be the starter for the Browns this year until Chubb returns and is fully cleared, but even then, it will likely be a backfield by committee. Chubb should only be picked if your RB depth is good and if you're prepared to not have him starting until at least Week 8 or so.
Nick Chubb injury update
As mentioned, Nick Chubb was placed on the PUP list by the Cleveland Browns. They're not expecting him to play for at least the first four weeks of the season. He may be out longer, but he won't be on the roster until at least then.
Even when he comes back, it would be foolish to believe he's going to be the same back. Considered one of the best running backs in the NFL before injury, Chubb now has two ACL tears in one knee and is going to be 29 in a few months.
Those two factors don't bode well for anyone at the running back position, and Chubb also has competition in the backfield now. He is a great player, but one ACL tear means a player might not come back the same. Two and an MCL tear make it all the more likely that he will be limited in his production.
Last season, Breece Hall took a while to get going after his ACL tear the year prior. His injury wasn't as severe as Chubb's, so you can expect a similar situation for Chubb but with a much longer recovery period. Chubb may not even be fully unleashed this year, and that should be worrisome for fantasy managers.