Nick Chubb will not play in Thursday night’s home game against the Denver Broncos, Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski announced on Tuesday. The two-time Pro Bowl running back continues to deal with a calf injury that also sidelined him for Cleveland’s Week 6 loss to the Cardinals.
The Browns played fellow running back Kareem Hunt (calf) and linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah on injured reserve on Tuesday. Both players will miss at least three games. And despite a dislocated left shoulder, Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield told reporters on Tuesday that he expects to play on Thursday night. Mayfield has also been playing thrown a torn labrum injury sustained during Cleveland’s Week 2 win over Houston.
With Chubb and Hunt out, the Browns have activated running back John Kelly, a fourth-year veteran who is coming off a solid preseason. Cleveland’s current backfield also consists of D’Ernest Johnson and Demetric Felton. Johnson has run for 11 yards on three carries through six games, while Felton has caught eight of nine targets for 90 yards and a touchdown this season.
Chubb and Hunt have been a vital part of the Browns’ success over the past several seasons. Chubb averaged over 100 yards rushing during the season’s first five games. Through six games, Hunt averaged 87 all-purpose yards per game to go with five rushing touchdowns. The duo amassed 2,362 total yards and 23 touchdowns last season.
The Browns had a whopping 20 players on Monday’s estimated injury report. Along with Chubb, Hunt, Owusu-Koramoah and Mayfield, Odell Beckham Jr., Jack Conklin, A.J. Green, Malcolm Smith, JC Tretter, and Jedrick Wills received Did Not Practice Designations. Mack Wilson, David Njoku, Takkarist McKinley, Malik Jackson, and Jadeveon Clowney were listed a limited practice participants. Myles Garrett, Malik McDowell, Greg Newsome II, Denzel Ward, and Greedy Williams were also mentioned in the injury report.
After a 3-1 start, the Browns are .500 following losses to the Chargers and Cardinals. They are now tied with the Steelers for last place in the AFC North. And while they won’t have a bye week until Week 14, the Browns will get some extended time off following Thursday night’s game before they host the Steelers, who are currently in the middle of their bye week.
