Not best did the Cleveland Browns endure their first defeat of the season Monday evening, however in addition they misplaced the guts and soul in their offense. During the second one quarter of a 26-22 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Nick Chubb was once carted off the sector after struggling a grotesque knee harm on successful from Minkah Fitzpatrick.
ESPN’s broadcast workforce to begin with elected now not to display the replay, however one may listen the gasps from the gang at Acrisure Stadium when it was once proven at the jumbotron. The crowd then confirmed their give a boost to for Chubb by way of cheering for him as he was once carted off to the locker room.
Browns head trainer Kevin Stefanski showed Tuesday that Chubb suffered an important knee harm and is done for the season. Chubb’s accidents integrated more than one torn ligaments, according to NFL Media. With Chubb out, Stefanski said that backup Jerome Ford, who rushed for 106 yards on 16 carries towards the Steelers, will now be the workforce’s “featured back.”
However, the Browns will nonetheless glance to upload any other participant on the place, according to Stefanski. According to Cleveland.com, unfastened agent Kareem Hunt and Rams rusher Cam Akers are a few of the choices Cleveland is exploring to assist substitute Chubb. The former traveled to the world to discuss with with the Browns on Tuesday, per NFL Media, creating a reunion all of the much more likely.
A four-time Pro Bowler, Chubb had 64 yards on 10 carries prior to getting injured. He had 106 yards at the floor in the Browns’ Week 1 win over the Bengals.Â
The lack of Chubb is essential for the Browns, who went into Monday evening with legit playoff hopes. Now, the Browns could have to stay the ones hopes alive with out one of the crucial NFL’s perfect working backs and general gamers.Â
As for who they must in all probability carry in to assist cushion the blow of most probably shedding Chubb, listed below are some choices.
Kareem Hunt
This will be a few of the widespread suits, and for excellent explanation why. Hunt continues to be to be had at the unfastened agent marketplace and, for the reason that he is performed for the Browns for the former 4 seasons, he has immense wisdom of the playbook and may be a plug-and-play addition to the backfield. In 17 video games performed closing season, the 28-year-old rushed for 468 yards and 3 touchdowns whilst catching 35 passes for 210 yards and any other rating. If Cleveland desires to roll with Ford as its number one again, Hunt would be a pleasant secondary choice who can tackle a larger workload if wanted.
Leonard Fournette
Fournette is in a an identical state of affairs to Hunt. The veteran went unsigned this offseason and is these days in search of the appropriate alternative to get up, which may be able to be with the Browns post-Chubb. The 28-year-old can paintings each in between the tackles and as a go catcher, which might supplement Ford smartly. With the Buccaneers closing season, Fournette totaled 1,191 yards from scrimmage and 6 touchdowns. That integrated 73 receptions for 523 yards.Â
Cam Akers
Cam Akers’ courting with the Rams has apparently deteriorated, with the again being a wholesome inactive closing week. Now, reviews are that L.A. is striking him at the buying and selling block because it rolls ahead with Kyren Williams as its number one ball-carrier. With a necessity for some assist in the backfield, the Browns naturally make sense post-Chubb. The former 2d spherical select rushed for 786 yards (4.2 yards according to elevate) in 2022 with seven touchdowns. In the Week 1 opener towards Seattle, he rushed for simply 29 yards on 22 makes an attempt, so he may be perfect checked out as a complementary piece to Ford as he ascends to substitute Chubb.
Jonathan Taylor
If they would like a straight-up Chubb substitute, you’ll’t get significantly better than Jonathan Taylor. The Colts again is these days on injured reserve, however can nonetheless be traded. Of direction, his well being would be the very first thing Cleveland would have to examine sooner than swinging this sort of deal, however, when wholesome, Taylor is likely one of the league’s perfect working backs. Leading up to the season, the Colts did grant Taylor’s camp permission to search a industry, however not anything got here to fruition. As he will get nearer to being eligible to go back off IR, it’ll be attention-grabbing to see if the ones industry talks warmth up. Getting a participant of Taylor’s caliber in the fold would major Cleveland’s working recreation as probably the most feared in the league and would most probably be a welcome construction for the veteran as smartly.