Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb had an injury, and ESPN broadcasters Joe Buck and Troy Aikman told everyone how awful it was.
Chubb was stopped on a run near the goal line in the first half of Monday night’s 26-22 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he grabbed his left leg instantly. It didn’t look good at first, but the announcers later revealed that it was far worse than it seemed.
“I’m informed the replay of Nick Chubb’s injury will not be shown,” Buck stated on the ABC broadcast.
As Buck spoke, the replay was shown in the stadium, and the fans let out a loud groan.
“Yeah, we won’t show it. “It’s as horrible as you can imagine,” commentator Troy Aikman stated.
Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick hit Chubb low while he was being dragged down by another opponent. That caused his knee to flex abnormally.
Chubb was carried off the field after collapsing. Buck stated on the broadcast that Steelers supporters who saw the replay screamed his name and gave him an ovation as he headed for the locker room.
The Brown was immediately ruled out owing to what the team described as a knee injury. Chubb’s backup, Jerome Ford, scored on the next play, but the celebration was understandably subdued.
Following the game, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed what everyone had feared. While specifics remained unknown, Chubb’s season has ended due to a “severe” knee injury.
Chubb suffered a significant knee injury while playing for Georgia in college after being tackled on the sideline and landing awkwardly. That occurred during the 2015 season and involved the same left knee that he injured Monday night. Chubb returned to Georgia for the 2016 and 2017 seasons and was drafted by the Browns in the second round.
Chubb is one of the top running backs in the NFL and a crucial component of the Browns’ attack. Last season, Chubb set a career high with 1,525 running yards and 12 touchdowns, his fifth in the league. The 27-year-old gained 106 rushing yards on 18 runs in the Browns’ season-opening victory over the Cincinnati Bengals last week, and 64 yards on 10 carries until he was injured Monday night. Chubb is in the second year of his three-year, $36 million contract with the Browns.
Ford gained 106 yards on 16 rushes and added three catches for 25 yards and a touchdown in the air. With Chubb out for the season, he will most likely lead the ground game. Ford, 23, is currently in his second season in the league.
