Anyone who has been in an automobile accident remembers every little detail. And if the incident is a horrific crash, that person memorializes the exact section of that street. Every time they travel over that spot, they remember. It’s their spot. If somebody else is in the car, the injured person begins to tell the story of that dreadful day and re-live a dark day.
Cleveland Browns RB Nick Chubb is about to memorialize that intersection in his life this Sunday, December 8th, against division foe Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium, formerly Heinz Field.
Last year, Cleveland won its first game convincingly 24-3 over the Cincinnati Bengals and then traveled to Pittsburgh for their second consecutive divisional contest. Hopes were riding high that this would be the Browns’ year. A 2-0 start plus a 2-0 division record would solidify what the coaching staff had been preaching in that this year would be different. This year would start a trend of multiple playoff seasons with a solid roster including a now-healthy Deshaun Watson under center.
Early in the Steelers game, the Browns were winning but had shot themselves in the foot more than once. On their first possession, Watson tossed a pick-six. On their second possession, kicker Dustin Hopkins made a 43-yard field goal and then missed another 43-yarder when they got the ball back. Watson then fumbled on a fourth-and-one attempt to which the Steelers fumbled it right back on the first play at Pittsburgh’s 23-yard line.
Two Chubb runs and a 12-yard Amari Cooper reception on the first play of the second quarter set up a first-and-goal at the eight-yard line.
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Chubb got the call and gained five yards, but was hit hard by Pittsburgh LB Cole Holcomb high and S Minkah Fitzpatrick low. Fitzpatrick’s blow nailed Chubb right on the left knee and completely tore his knee to shreds. It was such a devasting hit that the broadcast would not replay the explosion of Chubb’s knee. Viewers at home were able to rewind if they wanted, but the telecast refused to show the collision.
Chubb lay on the field and screamed in agony. The entire stadium went quiet. The Browns trainers raced onto the field and in a short time span, the medical cart was summoned. Chubb’s season was over before it began.
When the game resumed, RB Jerome Ford took the handoff and scored from three yards out. A successful two-point conversion made it 11-7 Cleveland. Pittsburgh would eventually win the game 26-22 when Watson was sacked with just over six minutes remaining and holding a 22-19 lead. The fumble was recovered by Alex Highsmith who ran into the end zone for a scoop-and-score to secure the win.
Chubb missed the remainder of the 2023 season with a torn MCL and a damaged ACL. He was placed on IR and had surgery to repair the knee. He began 2024 on the PUP list and was finally activated prior to Week 7.
Chubb played against Pittsburgh at home in the 24-19 win two weeks ago and had a team-high 20 carries for 59 yards and scored two touchdowns.
But that collision, the injury, and the agonizing rehab is on Chubb’s mind as the Browns prepare to meet the division-leading Steelers this weekend in Pittsburgh, home of the injury, the car crash, and the accident that changed Chubb forever.
On a Zoom setting recently set up by the Browns PR department for members of the media, Chubb was asked if this game has any more emotional impact on him:
“It’s a divisional game. For me, that’s enough to get excited about. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t thought about it. We’re going to the place where it happened last year. I’m always excited to play the Steelers.”
Chubb is definitely a different player now, despite being in game shape and a prognosis of his knee being fully healed. He goes down easier now and the sudden burst that he would exhibit once he went through a hole seems to be missing.
In last week’s 41-32 loss to the Denver Broncos, he did not seem to be involved in the gameplan as Ford was used more and had the most yards gained. Often the TV coverage would pan to him wearing a cape on the sideline while the offense was on the field.
“Whatever they want me to do I am ready to do. I do what I’m asked. I try not to coach the O-linemen and let them do whatever they do and I make my cut off of their block.”
Against Denver, the Browns had very little success gaining just 77 total yards on the ground. Chubb was asked what the issues were that would have made it more successful.
“Denver did a great job at being prepared for the run. I missed some reads. The biggest thing is just out and find a way to make it work. No matter what it looks like.”
He admitted that his game has been different since the injury in Pittsburgh last year. Chubb stated:
“The timing, not being out there for a while, and not playing football for a while. That is the biggest thing.”
Now, Chubb is headed back to the stadium where he lost a full year of playing. He will be going up against a club that he is quite familiar with having played against them twice a season, and playing them just two weeks ago. Is there an advantage to this?
“We played them two weeks ago and it does help. But we play them twice every year, we’re familiar with them. They don’t shy away from it. They are what they are and pride themselves in that. It’s always a tough challenge going against them. We are going to focus on that one win.”
Chubb knows that the injury is going to be on his mind. It’s his car crash site. It’s his memorialization of the incident. It’s his spot. Will it be just another carry, or will that part of the field become a constant reminder that any football player is just one hit away from being a retired football player?
“Going back there, knowing how it was, everything that happened, I am just grateful that I am able to run, play football again, and move around. I think it’s more of the gratitude aspect and being healthy.”
Since Chubb’s return in Week 7, he has just 243 yards and scored three touchdowns, two of which were in the same game. His carries are down. Before this season, Chubb averaged 5.4 yards per carry, with a high of 6.1 in 2023. This year, his average is 3.0. He has always been a workhorse yet is averaging just 13.6 carries a game as his time running the ball is brief.
Hopefully, Chubb can cruise over the three-yard line in his Batmobile with the radio turned up and forget what happened a year ago on that very spot.
