“I’m told the replay of Nick Chubb getting injured is not to be seen,” Aikman’s partner Joe Buck said during the ABC broadcast and, as a replay was shown in the stadium, fans gasped and groaned. “Yeah, we’re not going to show it,” Aikman said. “It’s as bad as you can imagine.”
A four-time Pro Bowler, Chubb has been a mainstay for the Browns over his six seasons in the NFL, and his teammate Myles Garrett said losing him “[freaking] hurts.” A star at Georgia, Chubb suffered a major injury to the same knee while in college, dislocating it and tearing his anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments as well as his medial collateral ligament. He missed the second half of his 2015 sophomore season but rushed for more than 1,000 yards in both 2016 and 2017. A 2018 second-round pick by the Browns, he has averaged more than 1,000 yards rushing for Cleveland.
The injury drew immediate reaction on social media, from, among others, Ohio native LeBron James, former Browns teammate Baker Mayfield and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.
“DAMN MAN!!!! Nick Chubb. Praying for the absolute best,” James tweeted.
Mayfield, also a 2018 Browns pick who now plays in Tampa, tweeted, “Love you Nick…Prayers up.”
“Just the worst feeling,” J.J. Watt tweeted. “Gutted for Nick Chubb. … Injuries suck man. They absolutely suck.”
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry tweeted three broken heart emoji and a teary-eyed emoji. San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey offered “Prayers up for Chubb.”
Prayers for Nick Chubb, never want to see that. 🙏🏽
— Kyler Murray (@K1) September 19, 2023
There was no specific information on the extent of the injury immediately after the game, but Coach Kevin Stefanski acknowledged it was “significant” and said he anticipates Chubb will be out the rest of the season.
“We feel, obviously, for Nick,” Stefanski said, “but I know Nick and his teammates know, and you have to move on.”
Nick Chubb. God is right there with you! Role model🙏🏽
— Bijan Robinson (@Bijan5Robinson) September 19, 2023
Chubb was taken to a Pittsburgh hospital, then left for Cleveland ahead of the team, according to ESPN.
“Obviously it’s a huge loss,” Browns receiver Amari Cooper said. “Nick is the engine of the team. Best player on the team. … I’m very sad for Nick, sad for this team losing Nick. Not only is it not ideal, it’s a tragedy.”
