Nick Chubb's long road back from a significant knee injury is nearing the finish line.
Chubb will practice Wednesday, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters Monday, marking the first time Chubb will take the field since suffering a torn ACL and meniscus -- which required two surgeries -- way back in Week 2 of the 2023 season.
On Sunday, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Chubb would have his practice window opened Wednesday. Stefanski's Monday announcement confirmed this report, which is a very positive sign for the Browns' star running back, but does not guarantee Chubb will suddenly take the field in Week 4.
"I’m not going to get too far down the road," Stefanski said when asked for a timeline for Chubb's return to game action. "He’s working very hard. Natural progression is for him to start practicing. He’s ready to do that. We’ll see how he goes from there. Not focused much farther past Wednesday."
Chubb began the regular season on the physically unable to perform list, rendering him ineligible to participate in the first month of the 2024 campaign. Following the conclusion of Week 4 with Monday night's double feature, teams across the NFL will be allowed to bring players back from the PUP list, injured reserve or the reserve/non-football injury list. Chubb is the most notable among them.
Chubb's practice window will open Wednesday and remain open for 21 days before the Browns are forced to make a roster move. It may take a week or two before Cleveland and Chubb feel comfortable enough to bring him back to the active roster, but the fact he's returning to practice at all is a significant checkpoint for Chubb to clear.