Nick Chubb was all smiles as his expected return to the field on Sunday draws near. (TheLandOnDemand)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Nick Chubb’s return from a near-catastrophic knee injury last year in Pittsburgh is almost here.
He vowed to do “whatever I can to help us win Sunday. However that looks like. If I’m just bringing energy to the crowd. If that helps us win, then I’m all for it.”
Chubb will go down as the best running back in Browns history other than Jim Brown. He has been preparing for this day since erasing the doubt in his mind that he could come back from the second severe injury to the same left knee. Dark thoughts crept in, he admits, until the day he was first able to run again.
“It was a monumental moment for me to actually run again. I knew at that moment I’d be able to come back where I was,” he said.
Chubb’s comeback is both a physical and psychological triumph, which is partly why he authored a cathartic essay in The Players’ Tribune. In the emotional piece, titled “Cleveland Got My Back,” the usually reticent Chubb poured his heart out and told how the “amazing” support of Browns fans, teammates and so many others helped him through the darkest of moments.
(Asked at his regular press availability if he read the piece, Kevin Stefanski said yes and quipped, “He’s a better journalist than all you combined.”)
Chubb said a friend of his at The Players’ Tribune suggested that his comeback needed to be told by himself because it was “a cool story.”
“It means a lot because people only see me on Sundays,” Chubb said. “They don’t know what it’s been like this past year. Been a lot of downs, a lot of hard work, a lot of stress. So, that kind of gives them a little insight about what’s been actually going on.
“I thought people would appreciate me opening up a bit, especially at a time like this.”
In the essay, Chubb recounted his background growing up in Georgia with his older brother and younger sister raised by his mom and grandmother. His strict grandma taught Chubb the value of hard work, an ethic that drives the indefatigable Chubb to this day.
And that is the secret of the love affair between Cleveland and Chubb.
In the essay, Chubb wrote, “I was meant for this city.”
Asked to explain, Chubb said, “I just think we have the same similarities, the same characteristics. People here are hard working. That’s what I am. I pride myself in being that.”
Chubb likened the passion in Cleveland to what he experienced at Athens, GA, during his college career with the Georgia Bulldogs.
“I think it’s the people here in Cleveland that make it what it is,” he said. “People here, they want to win and they love sports. It’s a sports town. You can’t be mad at them for being upset when things aren’t going good. The love they have for us and for the city is what makes it special.”
There was a scene in the first episode of 2018 Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cleveland Browns that has been unshakeable from my mind.
As opposed to first overall draft pick Baker Mayfield, Chubb arrived at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport without any fanfare, without any club official greeting him. While waiting at baggage claim, a passenger asked if he’s a player and for whom. Another asked if he played college ball and what position. He was totally anonymous.
Nobody could fathom then the immense impact Chubb would have on the city and the Browns organization.
“I miss those days,” Chubb said with a laugh.
“That’s still the person I am. People of Cleveland came to appreciate me for who I am. That’s what I love. I’m still that guy. I still want to win.”
Adios, Cooper
Here’s what the two men most impacted by the trade of wide receiver Amari Cooper had to say about his exit.
Stefanski: “I think [you’re] disappointed when you lose any player for injury or otherwise, trade, whatever it is, so, I wish Amari luck. Obviously, talked to him yesterday. We’re excited, it opens up opportunities for other guys. But yeah, you obviously become close to your players, and you don’t like to lose anybody for any reason. But we understand the business part of that, and we’re excited what the opportunities will be for some other guys.”
Deshaun Watson: “The biggest thing is, of course, Coop is my brother. These last three years, we got to know each other, not just on the field, but especially off the field. Hanging out in the offseason, our families hanging out with each other. He helped me through some tough times that I was dealing with and vice versa. So, it’s definitely tough to see a brother and see a teammate that means a lot, not just for myself, but for the locker room, get traded away.
“But you got to trust the organization and what AB [Andrew Berry] and Kevin and those guys upstairs have planned, and that’s out of my control. But at the same time, we’re definitely going to miss him, and we appreciate everything he brought for this team and this organization.”
Chubb called Cooper “one of the best teammates probably I ever had … how he just worked hard and showed it on the field. We’ll definitely miss him.”
Brownie bits
Not only will Chubb be added to the active roster by the end of the week, but so should Nyheim Hines, barring a setback. The running back/returner specialist looks ready to make his first appearance in a game since suffering a torn ACL in a Jet Ski accident in July of 2023 …
Tight end David Njoku was a full participant in practice …
Center Ethan Pocic (knee) was a DNP. With Nick Harris on injured reserve with a fractured leg, Michael Dunn could make his first NFL start at center. Dunn was forced in to play 54 snaps at center for Harris last week, but all seven of his NFL career starts have been at guard …
Free safety Juan Thornhilll was designated for return from injured reserve, triggering a 21-day window to activate him to the roster. Also, safety Grant Delpit (concussion) returned on a limited basis.