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Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb will miss at least the first four games of the season.
The Cleveland Browns offense looked out of shape in their opening game against the Dallas Cowboys, prompting former receiver Rashard Higgins to ask for the return of Nick Chubb.
The Browns’ offense was unable to get anything done in the first half. Cleveland managed only 58 yards and one first down in the first 30 minutes of the game. Quarterback Deshaun Watson was particularly bad, completing only 7 of 15 passes for 36 yards and throwing one interception. He did not manage a single pass that went further than five yards in the air.
“We need you,” Higgins wrote on X, tagging Chubb.
The Browns trailed for most of the second half, but then picked up the offensive pace and finished the half with 230 total yards rushing.
Chubb is on the reserve/physically unable to perform list. He is still recovering from knee surgery. Two separate surgeries repaired both his ACL and PCL, the most recent of which took place in November.
When healthy, Chubb is one of the best in the NFL. In 77 career games, he has amassed 6,511 yards and 48 touchdowns – all with the Browns. He averages 84.6 yards per game and 5.3 yards per carry. Given the Browns’ faltering offense, his consistent contributions would have been welcome.
Chubb will miss at least four games, but there’s a chance he’ll be out longer. In his absence, Jerome Ford, D’Onta Foreman and Pierre Strong Jr. will carry the load with Chubb out. Cleveland managed 93 rushing yards against the Cowboys, led by Ford’s 44 yards and an eventual touchdown.
Browns’ defeat triggers “embarrassing” reactions
Selected by the Browns in the fifth round of the 2016 draft, Higgins played six seasons in Cleveland from 2016 to 2021. He became a fan favorite and ended his career with the Browns this offseason.
Shortly after Cowboys punt returner KaVontae Turpin returned a punt for a touchdown early in the third quarter, Higgins added another message to increase the lead to 27-3.
“This is embarrassing,” said Higgins.
Browns fans, who experienced a 0-16 season in 2017, felt the same way.
“I’ve seen some bad Browns football games but wow,” one fan remarked in response to Higgins’ comment.
Watson’s poor play also sparked some discussion about Baker Mayfield, the team’s former top pick who was released after signing Watson in 2022.
“For Baker Mayfield to be better than Deshaun Watson, only the Cleveland Browns can do it,” said one fan.
“The Browns could really use a quarterback like Baker Mayfield right now,” said “Check the Mic” co-host Sam Monson.
Mayfield signed a three-year, $100 million contract extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason, and he got the Bucs going in their opener against the Washington Commanders.
Browns need a successful year with Deshaun Watson
It can’t be stressed enough that the Browns expect a big year from Watson. Cleveland traded three first-round picks to get him in 2022 and gave him a fully guaranteed $230 million contract.
Due to a lengthy suspension and injuries, Watson only appeared in 12 games on Sunday with mixed results. In those games, he passed for 2,217 yards, 14 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.
“He is in good shape mentally and physically,” Browns general manager Andrew Berry said in May at the The Pat McAfee Show“I think he feels much more comfortable in the organization. We have a core group of guys on offense who have been playing together for a few years now.
“We expect him to be able to get going right away on that side of the ball, and I know he’s very excited to get back on the field and overcome his injury. We have high expectations for him and the offense this season.”
It’s clear that Watson and the Browns still have a long way to go.
JR DeGroote covers the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Lakers for Heavy.com. He graduated from Arizona State and has decades of experience in digital media with previous stints at SBNation and Bleacher Report. He has won multiple state, regional and national awards for sports reporting and photography. More about JR DeGroote
