Broken foot is latest setback for Browns’ Chubb

CLEVELAND (AP) — Nick Chubb has to make yet another comeback.

Cleveland’s star running back, who has inspired teammates by returning to play after a devastating knee injury last season, broke his left foot in the third quarter of Sunday’s 21-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Chubb left Huntington Bank Field in a walking boot and on crutches, a troubling sight to coaches, teammates and fans.

Former Browns running back Kareem Hunt, who became close while playing with Chubb, was shocked by the news.

“That is insane. I didn’t even know that,” said Hunt, who rushed for 45 yards on 13 carries. “I’m going to pray for him, man. It’s been a tough journey for him to get back, but if anybody can overcome it and bounce back, it’s him.”

Browns star defensive end Myles Garrett, who was briefly sidelined in the first half by an eye injury, was brokenhearted for Chubb.

“It just goes from bad to worse, man,” Garrett said. “The man fights back from injury. He does it. There’s not a more hard-working, resilient individual in the locker room. And he has continued to face adversity like this.”

It’s not clear exactly when Chubb got hurt. He picked up 8 yards on a carry early in the third quarter, just minutes after he had a ball go off his hands for an interception. On Cleveland’s next possession, he fumbled when Kansas City linebacker Leo Chanel punched the ball loose.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski thought Chubb got stepped on.

It has been a dismal season in Cleveland with Chubb’s return one of the only bright spots.

His 2023 season was over in Week 2, when he suffered a gruesome injury in Pittsburgh to the same knee he hurt at Georgia. Chubb’s injuries were so extensive that he had to undergo two separate surgeries to repair torn ligaments, his meniscus and medial capsule.

But in typical form, the soft-spoken, hard-working Chubb pushed himself to his physical limits in rehab and came back sooner than expected. He made his season debut in Week 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals.