Will Browns RB Chubb Begin Season on PUP List? Stefanski Provides Update

As the Cleveland Browns begin preparations for their third and final preseason game, there has still been no official indication on the status of star running back Nick Chubb .

So far, the former Georgia Bulldog has remained on the physically unable to perform list, which means during practice he is off to the side without pads working through individual rehab drills.

But other than that, the 28-year-old hasn't been a participant in training camp for the Browns, and with the start of the regular season now under three weeks away, it begs the question: what's the plan for Chubb ?

"I'm not going to get too far down the road on that type of stuff," Stefanski said when asked about Chubb recently. "I will tell you, I get to see him work out every day. He's doing everything that he's supposed to do and more, but not going to get too far down the road."

It wasn't exactly an update on Chubb's status, other a further confirmation that he is doing everything he can to get back. But with the NFL's roster cutdown day looming, the Browns will likely have to make a decision soon on the 28-year-old.

No, Chubb will not be cut. Rather, the decision the Browns will have to make is whether they keep him on the PUP list or activate him for the Week 1 season opener versus the Dallas Cowboys.

Activating him would obviously mean he is ready to go and would immediately take up a spot on the 53-man roster. Contrastingly, keeping him on the PUP list means he will be forced to missed the first four games of the season before he can be activated.

Related: Has Mitchell-Paden Done Enough to Make Browns 53-Man Roster?

Sure, losing Chubb for the first four games isn't ideal for the Browns, as they'll want their star running back. However, if he is not ready, then he can stay on the PUP list and not count against the 53-man roster, which then allows them to keep an extra back.

After signing D'Onta Foreman and Nyheim Hines in free agency, to go along with Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong Jr., the Browns have options at running back if Chubb isn't ready. However, if they'd like to keep this extra depth for the start of the regular season, it likely means Chubb will have to start the season on the PUP list.