Browns coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed Monday that running back Nick Chubb would make his return to practice on Wednesday. However, he wouldn't set a timetable for what game the Pro Bowler could potentially return.
Multiple outlets, including the Beacon Journal , reported Sunday the plan for the Browns was to open Chubb's return-to-practice window this week. That gave the team 21 days to make a decision whether or not to activate him from the physically unable to perform list , where he's been since the start of training camp.
The Browns (1-3) play at the Washington Commanders on Sunday, before wrapping up a three-game road stretch at the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 13. Stefanski said they were only focused on Wednesday with regards to Chubb's timetable.
"I'm not going to get too far down the road on that, other than to say, like I've told you guys all year and last year some, he's working very hard," Stefanski said on a Zoom call. "Natural progression is for him to start practicing. He's ready to do that and then we'll see how he goes from there. But really not focused much farther past Wednesday."
Chubb needed two surgeries to repair the damage done on his right knee when Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick rolled into it while making a tackle with 14:44 remaining in the second quarter of the Browns' Week 2 loss in Pittsburgh last year. He sustained tears to his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), the medial capsule and meniscus.
The first surgery — which repaired the same MCL, medial capsule and meniscus Chubb tore in 2015 while at the University of Georgia — occurred on Sept. 29, 2023. The second surgery on Nov. 14 repaired the ACL, which he hadn't damaged in 2015.
The injury at Georgia didn't cost Chubb any games in either the 2016 or 2017 seasons. He has been working regularly behind the scenes, although he was seen a couple of times running or doing other rehab drills on a practice field during training camp.
"You don't get much (emotion) from Nick," Stefanski said. "Very workmanlike. It's the next step for him. I've seen him in this building very early in the morning, has an attitude that he's just punching the clock, trying to get ready whenever he is ready. But not a ton of emotion from Nick."
Chubb didn't start load running as part of the rehab process until April. During the offseason, multiple videos came out on social media of him working out at his high school alma mater in Cedartown, Ga., with almost no evidence of the injury, including one on July 15 that showed him doing two squat reps with 540 pounds .
Nyheim Hines on track to make return to practice as early as this week
Chubb won't be the only Browns running back who could be making his practice return this week. Stefanski was asked about running back Nyheim Hines, whom the team signed in free agency but has been on the non-football injury list since the start of camp.
"Yeah, I anticipate him practicing pretty soon here as well," Stefanski said. "This week should, but we'll find out Wednesday."
Hines originally tore multiple ligaments in his knee during a jet ski accident in the summer of 2023 while he was with the Buffalo Bills. He underwent surgery on the knee, in which he tore both the anterior cruciate ligament and the lateral collateral ligament, on Aug. 8, 2023.
During minicamp, Hines had spoken confidently that he thought he would be back on the field by Aug. 1. However, there were never any indications he was close to doing so once camp started, although he was seen working alongside Chubb on practices field occasionally.
David Njoku, Jedrick Wills Jr., Jack Conklin, Martin Emerson Jr., Jordan Hicks, Ethan Pocic injury updates
This is what Stefanski had to say regarding the various other injured Browns, either from Sunday's loss at the Las Vegas Raiders or those who have been sidelined for a while:
- Linebacker Jordan Hicks, who left Sunday's game with an elbow injury: Day to day
- Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr., who left Sunday's game to be evaluated for a concussion: Cleared concussion protocol
- Center Ethan Pocic, who left Sunday's game with an ankle injury: Day to day
- Tight end David Njoku, who's been out since the season opener with an ankle injury: "We'll see," Stefanski said. "I do expect him to practice at some point this week and then we'll make that determination."
- Offensive tackles Jedrick Wills Jr. (knee), who's only played two-plus quarters in Week 3, and Jack Conklin (hamstring), who has yet to play this season: "No update," Stefanski said. "Yeah, no update. Both guys are getting close. We'll see. I think Wednesday, Thursday will be a better gauge."
(This story has been updated with new information.)
This is a developing story. Check back here for more updates.
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Kevin Stefanski confirms Browns running back Nick Chubb will return to practice Wednesday
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