No longer best did the Cleveland Browns undergo their first defeat of the season Monday evening, however in addition they misplaced the guts and soul in their offense. All through the second one quarter of a 26-22 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Nick Chubb used to be carted off the farmland then struggling a unfortunate knee shock on a accident from Minkah Fitzpatrick.
ESPN’s broadcast staff first of all elected to not display the replay, however one may just listen the gasps from the people at Acrisure Stadium when it used to be proven at the jumbotron. The people nearest confirmed their aid for Chubb by means of cheering for him as he used to be carted off to the depot room.
Browns head schoolmaster Kevin Stefanski showed Tuesday that Chubb suffered an important knee shock and is done for the season. Chubb’s accidents incorporated more than one torn ligaments, according to NFL Media. With Chubb out, Stefanski said that extra Jerome Ford, who i’m in a hurry for 106 yards on 16 carries in opposition to the Steelers, will now be the staff’s “featured back.”
Alternatively, the Browns will nonetheless glance so as to add some other participant on the place, consistent with Stefanski. Wave sovereign agent and previous Browns operating again Kareem Hunt visited with Cleveland on Tuesday, CBS Sports activities HQ Senior NFL Insider Josina Anderson reported, creating a reunion all of the much more likely. In keeping with Cleveland.com, Cam Akers, who used to be reportedly positioned at the business oppose by means of the Rams, may be some of the choices the Browns are exploring.
A four-time Professional Bowler, Chubb had 64 yards on 10 carries previous to getting injured. He had 106 yards at the grassland within the Browns’ Past 1 win over the Bengals.
The lack of Chubb is important for the Browns, who got into Monday evening with legit playoff hopes. Now, the Browns must secure the ones hopes alive with out one of the most NFL’s very best operating backs and total gamers.
As for who they will have to most likely upload to backup cushion the deplete of dropping Chubb, listed below are some choices.
Kareem Hunt
As discussed above, Hunt is already visiting the Browns. He’s nonetheless to be had at the sovereign agent marketplace and, for the reason that he’s performed for the Browns for the former 4 seasons, he has massive wisdom of the playbook and can be a plug-and-play addition to the backfield. In 17 video games performed closing season, the 28-year-old i’m in a hurry for 468 yards and 3 touchdowns future catching 35 passes for 210 yards and some other ranking. If Cleveland desires to roll with Ford as its number one again, Hunt could be a pleasing secondary choice who can tackle a larger workload if wanted.
Leonard Fournette
Fournette is in a related condition to Hunt. The veteran went unsigned this offseason and is these days searching for the proper 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 move catcher, which might supplement Ford neatly. With the Buccaneers closing season, Fournette totaled 1,191 yards from scrimmage and 6 touchdowns. That incorporated 73 receptions for 523 yards.
Cam Akers
Cam Akers’ courting with the Rams has apparently deteriorated, with the again being a wholesome idle closing moment. Now, reviews are that L.A. is placing him at the buying and selling oppose because it rolls ahead with Kyren Williams as its number one ball-carrier. With a necessity for some backup within the backfield, the Browns naturally create sense post-Chubb. The previous 2d spherical select i’m in a hurry for 786 yards (4.2 yards consistent with lift) in 2022 with seven touchdowns. Within the Past 1 opener in opposition to Seattle, he i’m in a hurry for simply 29 yards on 22 makes an attempt, so he may well be very best checked out as a complementary piece to Ford as he ascends to interchange Chubb.
Jonathan Taylor
If they would like a straight-up Chubb substitute, you’ll be able to’t get significantly better than Jonathan Taylor. The Colts again is these days on injured retain, however can nonetheless be traded. After all, his condition could be the very first thing Cleveland would have to make sure sooner than swinging any such offer, however, when wholesome, Taylor is without doubt one of the league’s very best operating backs. as much as the season, the Colts did serve Taylor’s camp permission to hunt a business, however not anything got here to fruition. As he will get nearer to being eligible to go back off IR, it’s going to be fascinating to peer if the ones business talks warmth up. Getting a participant of Taylor’s caliber within the wrinkle would major Cleveland’s operating recreation as one of the crucial feared within the league and would more than likely be a welcome building for the veteran as neatly.