The last time RB Nick Chubb played a game at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, he suffered a season-ending injury to his knee during the 2023 season. What ensued was a recovery process that took over a year as he fought to get back to playing the game he loves.
Chubb is prepared to return to Pittsburgh for the Browns' Week 14 game against the Steelers – the second meeting between the two teams in three weeks – and while he has at times thought about the horrific injury, he is focused on earning a win over the Browns' division rival.
"It's just a divisional game, you know? So, for me, that's enough for me to get excited about," Chubb said. "But I'd be lying if I said I haven't thought about it. Going back to that place where it happened last year. But besides that, I'm excited to play the Steelers."
Since making his return to the football field in Week 7 against the Bengals, Chubb has rushed for 243 yards and three touchdowns.
Against the Steelers in Week 12, Chubb converted on fourth-and-1 in the second quarter and scored the Browns' first touchdown of the game two plays later. On the Browns' game-winning drive in the fourth quarter, Chubb broke off a 7-yard run in the red zone before scoring his second touchdown of the day on the next play.
Over his six games back, Chubb has averaged three yards per carry, over two yards below his career average of 5.1 yards per carry. Chubb said that his extended absence from football has affected his progression as he works to get back to the pre-injury version of himself.
Against the Broncos, Chubb played 34 percent of offensive snaps and had 21 yards on nine carries. The Browns utilized a combination of him and RB Jerome Ford over the course of the game, as head coach Kevin Stefanski said they wanted to get Ford some opportunities.
"Denver did a great job of being prepared for the run," Chubb said. "I missed some reads, and I think the biggest part is just us. We need to go out there and find a way to make it work, no matter what it looks like."
As Chubb works to get back to the version of himself that rushed for over 1,500 yards in 2022 – his last healthy season – his work ethic continues to inspire his teammates.
WR Elijah Moore, who said Chubb was the first player to come to mind when he was traded to the Browns in 2023, saw how hard Chubb worked to get healthy and was elated when he made his first appearance this season.
"I think Nick is the true definition of being a Cleveland Brown. I think the city embraces him," Moore said. "To have him back and to respond the way he's responding has been nothing but super motivating to all the players."
As he reflected on the injury that took him away from football for over a year, Chubb said he was thankful to be back on the field preparing to face the Steelers. Sunday's matchup serves as a full circle moment for him.
"Knowing how I was last year, the last time I played there and everything that happened, just being grateful that I'm able to run and play football again and move around," Chubb said. "And I think more just the gratitude aspect of me being back there and being healthy."
