Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper couldn’t help but shake his head in disbelief. Quarterback Deshaun Watson was at a loss for words. And defensive end Myles Garrett was brutally honest when he admitted, “It f—ing hurts.” The Browns had just lost 26-22 to the Pittsburgh Steelers on “Monday Night Football.” However, the loss of the game felt secondary compared to the loss of their star running back, Nick Chubb. Chubb suffered what coach Kevin Stefanski called a “significant” injury to his left knee in the second quarter and had to be carted off the field. The somber atmosphere in the locker room after the game emphasized the magnitude of Chubb’s absence.
Coach Stefanski declined to specify Chubb’s injury, but sources reveal that the team fears he may have suffered multiple tears in his knee. As a precautionary measure, Chubb was taken to a local hospital before returning to Cleveland with the team. The impact of Chubb’s injury was felt deeply within the Browns organization. Amari Cooper expressed his sadness, acknowledging Chubb as the engine of the team and the best player on the team. The loss of Chubb was not only far from ideal, but it felt like a tragedy.
Chubb’s knee injury occurred on a 5-yard run to the Steelers’ 3-yard line. He was tackled by Pittsburgh safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, resulting in the devastating injury. As Chubb was loaded onto the cart, players from both teams gathered around him, showing their support. Unfortunately, this was not the first time Chubb faced a major knee injury. In 2015, while at Georgia, Chubb tore his MCL, PCL, and LCL in the same left knee. The replay of the incident brought back painful memories for Deshaun Watson, who has been a close friend of Chubb’s for a long time.
Before leaving the game, Chubb had already amassed an impressive 64 rushing yards on just 10 carries. He had consistently rushed for over 1,000 yards in four consecutive seasons, culminating in a career-high of 1,525 yards last year. Chubb’s accomplishments place him in an elite group of players in NFL history. According to ESPN Stats & Information research, Chubb is one of only five players ever to have at least eight rushing touchdowns in each of their first five seasons, joining the likes of Adrian Peterson, LaDainian Tomlinson, Emmitt Smith, and former Browns legend Jim Brown. Such achievements highlight the immense talent and impact that Chubb brings to the team.
Chubb’s absence had an immediate impact on the Browns’ offense. Although his replacement, Jerome Ford, had a brilliant 69-yard run to set up a go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter, the team was unable to find the end zone for the remainder of the game. The Steelers capitalized on their second defensive touchdown of the night, ultimately sealing the victory. All-Pro guard Joel Bitonio acknowledged the huge void left by Chubb’s injury, emphasizing his importance as a great teammate and hard worker. The loss of Chubb had a significant impact on the team’s performance, further underscoring his value.
The Browns had high hopes of starting the season 2-0 for the first time since 1993. Unfortunately, they must now face the challenge of moving forward without one of the league’s top running backs. The devastating blow of Chubb’s injury reverberates through the entire team. Myles Garrett, reflecting on their long-standing bond, emphasizes the need to push on and not let Chubb’s injury be in vain. While the Browns mourn the loss of their star player, they understand that they must rally together and continue fighting in his honor.
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