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Browns General Manager Andrew Berry Provides Update On Nick Chubb
The Browns running back re-worked his deal to return to the team next fall, while rehabbing from knee surgery.
Nick Chubb's status for the start of the 2024 season remains unknown for the Browns as much of the team returned to Berea for the opening of the offseason program.
Team general manager Andrew Berry remained mum on making any grandiose predictions for when Chubb will be ready. He did, however, shine some light on the star running back's recovery during his annual pre-draft press conference on Thursday.
"He's really attacked it very aggressively, really since he's been able to in the fall," said Berry. "He's going at a good pace. It's still early. He actually started running on land this past week. That's not to say that he's through the woods or anything, but he's doing everything in his power. He's progressing appropriately, but certainly the next few weeks, next few months will be big as we continue to increase the load that he's able to put on his knee, and then how much he's ultimately able to do during his training."
Chubb tore both his MCL and ACL in Week 2 of last season against the Steelers, from a direct hit from Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. In the aftermath of the gruesome injury, team physician Dr. James Voos oversaw two separate procedures to repair Chubb's knee. Since then, it's been all about rehabbing the ailment in the hopes of returning for next season.
Without a clear picture on when Chubb can play in actual games again, Berry has spent much of the offseason stockpiling the running back room behind him. The team signed ex-Bills running back and kick returner Nyheim Hines this offseason along with Bears free agent running back D'Onta Foreman. They join a group that also includes 2022 fifth-round pick Jerome Ford, 2023 trade acquisition Pierre Strong and practice squader John Kelly.
Cleveland has also reportedly been eyeing running backs during the pre-draft process, even hosting FSU product Trey Benson on one of their 30 visits.
Just last week, the Browns and Chubb's representatives worked out an agreement to re-work his contract, guaranteeing he'll be with the team for this upcoming season. While no one can say for sure at this point when he'll be ready to suit up for the Browns again, everyone, from the fan base to the organization itself are looking forward to seeing him dawn the brown and orange next fall.
"I think everybody is happy that Nick is back as a Cleveland Brown, and we're very optimistic that he's going to crush the rehab," Berry said. "Our VP of football administration, Chris Cooper, who does a
phenomenal job in the contract management space, after we got the deal done with Nick, he was like, 'I'll be honest, one of the coolest moments that I'm probably looking forward to the most, and may be at the top, is the next time that Nick Chubb runs out of that tunnel right before the game at Cleveland Browns Stadium.' I think Chris' sentiments probably speak for a lot of people in this room and a lot of people in the fan base."
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