Nick Chubb Designated to Return from IR by Browns amid Knee Injury Recovery

Amid a 1-3 start with an offense that ranks 27th in the NFL in points per game, the Cleveland Browns are getting closer to having Nick Chubb back on the field.

The Browns announced on Wednesday that Chubb has been designated for return to practice after starting the season on the physically unable to perform list due to a knee injury.

Chubb hasn't played since Week 2 of the 2023 season when he suffered a torn MCL, meniscus and damage to his ACL in his left knee in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The 28-year-old previously suffered a dislocated kneecap, torn MCL, PCL and LCL in the same knee during his sophomore season at Georgia in 2015. He returned for the Bulldogs' season opener the following year.

Chubb had to undergo two different surgeries to repair the damage to his knee from last season. The first procedure, for his MCL and meniscus, was on Sept. 30. He had a second procedure for the ACL on Nov. 14.

The Browns said after the second surgery that Chubb would be able to return to play during the 2024 season.

In the early days of training camp, The Athletic's Zac Jackson noted Chubb was doing work on the side with members of the team's training staff and they weren't going to rush him back on the field.

Chubb was placed on the physically unable to perform list at the start of camp and transferred to the regular-season PUP list before Week 1. The move ensured he would have to miss at least the first four games.

Players who are designated for return from the PUP list have 21 days to be activated or they must remain on the reserve list for the entire season.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters on Monday that Chubb is "doing well," but he declined to say when he might return to game action.

The Browns have yet to score 20 points in a game this season. They've been held to fewer than 100 rushing yards in three of their first four games, including just 92 in Sunday's loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Chubb averaged 1,268 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns per season in his first five years from 2018 to '22. His 5.3 yards per carry is the second-highest in NFL history among running backs with at least 750 attempts.