The struggles of Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson have been a key storyline in Cleveland within the early phases of the 2024 season, and because the staff continues to hope for a turnaround from its high-priced passer, it seems that a key piece of the offensive puzzle will probably be returning pretty quickly. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, the Browns will open the observe window for working again Nick Chubb – who’s at the moment on the PUP listing – on Wednesday.
As soon as that occurs, the Browns can have three weeks to activate Chubb, and if they don’t achieve this inside that timeframe, the four-time Professional Bowler will probably be compelled to overlook all the season. Though Rapoport cautions that Chubb is unlikely to return to sport motion in Week 5, the truth that Cleveland is getting him on the observe area clearly implies that the membership expects him to be able to go well with up briefly order.
His presence will probably be most welcome. By the primary three weeks of the marketing campaign, the Browns rank thirty first in whole offense and within the bottom-10 in speeding yards per sport. Their floor assault is presently paced by Jerome Ford and D’Onta Foreman, and whereas Ford has carried out properly (5.0 yards per stick with it 29 totes), Foreman has struggled, and Chubb is among the sport’s finest backs when wholesome.
Sadly, a brutal knee damage suffered in Week 2 of the 2023 season threatened not solely Chubb’s future in Cleveland, however his total enjoying profession. His damage required two operations, and he opened coaching camp on the PUP list. Unsurprisingly, he remained on the list by way of remaining roster cuts, which required him to overlook the primary 4 video games of the season.
Participant and staff agreed to a reworked contract this offseason, and though Chubb accepted a pay minimize as a part of the restructure, he want solely be on the lively roster for 12 video games to gather a $225K roster bonus (incentives permitting him to recoup among the cash he was initially owed are additionally current). Between that and the truth that Cleveland is opening Chubb’s observe window within the subsequent couple of days, it could appear {that a} Week 6 return is in play.
Chubb’s reworked deal didn’t embrace extra years of membership management, so he’ll nonetheless be a free agent at season’s finish. For sure, a return to his earlier stellar kind – he boasts a profession 5.3 YPC common on 1,238 carries – would signify a significant boon to his future incomes energy and to the Browns’ 2024 fortunes.
