Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb will miss at least the first four games of the 2024 season.
Chubb will start the season on the reserve/physically unable to perform list, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Monday.
The decision knocks the running back out for at least four weeks.
The news comes with little surprise, given the gruesome knee injury Chubb suffered in Week 2 last season. The running back was always more likely to return sometime in October than being ready for the start of the 2024 campaign.
Earlier during the preseason action, coach Kevin Stefanski noted he wasn't going to get “too far ahead of himself” regarding Chubb's timeline. The running back himself said that he didn't have a return date in mind and was just taking it “one day at a time.”
With the running back out at least the first four games, the Browns and Chubb ensured they'll be under no pressure to push his rehab. His return will likely come with an additional ramp-up period, given the severity of the injury, so he'll probably miss more than four games.
In the meantime, the Browns will lean on Jerome Ford, Pierre Strong and D'Onta Foreman -- when healthy -- out of the backfield.
While Chubb will remain on the PUP list, the Browns will get back a key part of their offensive line.
Right tackle Jack Conklin passed his physical and coming off the PUP list, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source informed of the situation.
Conklin tore his ACL and MCL in Week 1 last season, knocking him out for the campaign. Getting the former All-Pro tackle back early in the season is a big boon for the Browns, particularly in the running game where he excels as a road grader.
Conklin isn't the only one coming off PUP. Stefanski announced Monday that defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, cornerback Greg Newsome II and safety D'Anthony Bell will all return to practice. Left tackle Jedrick Wills will also come off PUP but won't yet practice.
They'll miss Chubb, but the Browns are getting healthier elsewhere as the season approaches.
