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Browns' Nick Chubb undergoes successful second knee surgery, still anticipates 2024 return
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- Browns' Nick Chubb undergoes successful second knee surgery, still anticipates 2024 return
BEREA — Nick Chubb underwent a successful s econd surgery to repair the damage done to his left knee during the Browns' Week 2 loss at the Pittsburgh Steelers , the team announced Tuesday.
The surgery, performed by Browns head physician Dr. James Voos at the University Hospitals Drusinsky Sports Medicine Institute, was to repair the damage to Chubb's anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) The first surgery, performed on Sept. 29, repaired damage to the medial collateral ligament (MCL), the medial capsule and meniscus.
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"Dr. Voos considered today's surgery successful and added that Nick's recovery has progressed very well following his first surgery in late September," the Browns' statement said. "As previously announced, the estimated recovery time from these surgeries indicates that Nick would be able to return to play during the 2024 season."
The injury occurred with 14:14 remaining in the second quarter of the Browns' Sept. 18 loss at the Pittsburgh Steelers. Chubb had his left knee rolled into by Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick while his leg was still planted at the end of a 5-yard run.
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) is carted off the field after being injured during an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Chubb suffered three torn ligaments in the same knee while at Georgia during an Oct. 10, 2015, game against the University of Tennessee. The ACL remained intact, but Chubb still needed surgery on the other three ligaments. He didn't miss a game in the 2016 or 2017 seasons before the Browns selected him in the second round (No. 35 overall) in the 2018 draft.
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Chubb is coming off a career year last year, rushing for 1,525 yards and 12 touchdowns on a career-high 302 attempts. He had rushed for 170 yards on 28 carries in just over five quarters this season.
The Browns signed Chubb to a four-year extension in 2021 that boasts the fourth-highest annual value for a running back at $12.2 million. However, the last of the $5 million in guaranteed money was going to be up at the end of this season.
A three-man running back rotation with Jerome Ford , Kareem Hunt and Pierre Strong Jr. has been used by the Browns since Chubb's injury. Ford has rushed for 496 of his team-high 532 yards since Chubb suffered the knee injury.
The Browns re-signed Hunt two days after the loss in Pittsburgh, and he's run for 228 yards and six touchdowns on 70 carries. Pierre Strong Jr., acquired in an Aug. 27 trade with the New England Patriots , has 152 yards on 34 carries.
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Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on Twitter at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Nick Chubb undergoes successful second knee surgery, eyes 2024 return
