Browns star Nick Chubb has one other critical knee harm and is predicted to overlook the remainder of the NFL season

Nick Chubb He spent the higher a part of a decade as the guts and soul of the Cleveland Browns.

There isn’t a extra revered participant within the locker room. There isn’t a extra dedicated participant on the sector.

All of which made the sight of the star working again within the second quarter of a 26-22 loss to Pittsburgh on Monday evening — his left kneecap was torn up, his season over — painful.

“It (freaking) hurts,” the defensive finish mentioned Myles Garrett said.

What occurred to Nick Chubb?

The 27-year-old four-time Professional Bowler has been one of many constants in a franchise that’s attempting to ascertain itself as a perennial contender. His sixth NFL season ended on the second play of the second quarter when Steelers security Minkah Fitzpatrick got here up low for a deal with on the top of a 5-yard run early within the second quarter and delivered successful to Chubb’s legs. Chubb’s knee buckled beneath him.

After the play, a teammate grabbed Chubb’s hand to attempt to assist him get to his toes, and Chubb shook his head whereas holding his left knee. He undid his chinstrap and turned on his facet.

Chubb suffered a critical harm to the identical knee in 2015 whereas in school at Georgia — a dislocation with three torn ligaments. Just like the earlier harm, Monday evening was powerful to look at.

CBS Sports noted The ESPN broadcast workforce initially selected to not present the replay, however one may hear the gasps of the gang at Acrisure Stadium when it was proven on the jumbotron. The gang then They showed their support for Chubb By cheering him on and acknowledging him as he’s taken to the locker room.

Chubb remained on the bottom for a number of minutes whereas his teammates gathered to wish close by. He finally left on a trolley and was taken to a neighborhood hospital as a precaution however was on his approach again to Cleveland by the point the Browns had been packing after their twentieth straight common season loss in Pittsburgh.

Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanki didn’t have particulars in regards to the extent of Chubb’s harm, however he anticipated him to be sidelined for the remainder of the season.

“Clearly we really feel for Nick,” Stefanski mentioned. “However I do know Nick and his teammates understand it, and it’s important to transfer on.”

Talk after the gameGarrett known as it “a blow to your complete workforce.”

“Now we have to maneuver ahead, and that is what he desires us to do,” Garrett mentioned. “And if he has any selection within the matter, that is what he’ll do. He simply has to maintain combating and use that as motivation.”

It will not be simple, particularly after such a publicly traumatic harm.

NBA star and Ohio native LeBron James and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson had been amongst those that expressed their help for Chubb on social media.

James posted He was “praying for the most effective ever” with Jackson offers similar sentiments.

Chubb has been right here earlier than.

He missed the second half of his sophomore 12 months after struggling an harm in opposition to Tennessee however returned to high 1,000 yards dashing in each 2016 and 2017. He was a second-round choose by the Browns in 2018.

He is averaged greater than 1,250 yards dashing per season throughout his profession, and his work ethic and humble nature present a blueprint for the tradition Stefanski is attempting to instill in a locker room that hasn’t gained constantly in many years.

Jerome Ford, Chubb’s substitute, scored on a 3-yard reception instantly after Chubb’s exit and added a 2-point conversion to place the Browns forward 11-7. Ford ran for 106 yards and had three catches for 25 yards.

That wasn’t sufficient. It by no means appears that approach for Cleveland when it makes the quick journey to the Southeast to face an opponent that all the time appears to have his quantity on it, particularly when enjoying at dwelling.

Alex Highsmith returned DeShaun Watson’s tipped go 30 yards for a landing on the primary snap. The Steelers exterior linebacker later stripped Watson halfway by way of the fourth quarter. Teammate TJ Watt picked it up and raced 17 yards for the go-ahead landing, denying Cleveland’s bid to beat Pittsburgh within the common season for the primary time since 2003.

“Penalties and turnovers, it is exhausting to win on the street, interval,” Stefanski mentioned. “It is actually exhausting to win on the street in the event you make it exhausting for your self.”

Cleveland fell to 1-1. There are nonetheless 4 months remaining in a season that started with promise and a dominant victory over Cincinnati within the opener wherein Chubb had a 103-yard run.

And it regarded extra of the identical for precisely quarter-hour and 51 seconds on Monday evening. Chubb was working his approach by way of Pittsburgh’s porous defensive entrance. He ran for 59 yards on his first 9 carries. His tenth day ended along with his left leg bending awkwardly beneath him and his teammates had been shocked.

There may be not a lot time to get well. Tennessee visits subsequent Sunday. The Browns will choose themselves up and attempt to do what Chubb desires them to do: rid themselves of any excuses and transfer on.

“He is a man of few phrases who retains his head down and is all the time working,” Jarrett mentioned. “And that is the integrity he has within the sport. That is what we hope we have now now, particularly for him.”