Cleveland Browns: Nick Chubb reflects on his 2023 injury in panel discussion

CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 15: Nick Chubb #24 of the Cleveland Browns carries the ball during the third quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Huntington Bank Field on December 15, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

It was Week 4 of the 2018 NFL season when Nick Chubb announced to the league that he was a force to be reckoned with.

That day against the Raiders at Oakland Alameda Coliseum, Chubb posted the first 100-yard game of his career. While that may not sound all that special, Chubb did it on just three carries, two of which culminated in touchdown runs of 63 yards and 41 yards.

From that day until the fateful night in Pittsburgh in 2023, Chubb was on his way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as the heart and soul of the Cleveland Browns for seven seasons.

Chubb worked his way back from the major knee injury he suffered against the Steelers to play eight more games for the Browns in 2024, before signing with the Houston Texans as a free agent for the 2025 season.

Almost three years removed from the injury and, unfortunately, not the player he once was, Chubb is once again a free agent in a league that does not value running backs, even when they are healthy.

While Chubb may not be returning to the Browns, who appear set with the backfield of Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson, and Raheim Sanders, Chubb was back in town on Thursday as a guest speaker at University Hospital's annual SportsLand event, which brings together top minds and industry leaders from healthcare and sports to push the boundaries of what's possible."

Chubb was part of a panel discussion with Dr. James Voos, head doctor for the Browns, and the surgeon who operated on Chubb's knee. Chubb recalled the night of his injury and what might have been that season, according to Camryn Justice at News 5 Cleveland:

I remember that season was going to be special, because even without me, that team still went to the playoffs, so I think that year would have been our year. I remember being so locked in like I am before every game...I remember just breaking runs, and in the first quarter, I had a couple of good runs, we were playing good, then the quarter changed...I remember breaking a tackle, and it's a blur from there. I broke a tackle, and someone was still on top of me or something...I feel my body lean forward, but my leg is still back, and I feel a crunch. And unfortunately, I had been there before."

Former #Browns RB Nick Chubb is in Cleveland to share his story of recovering from the 2023 knee injury, recalling the injury itself.

"I think that year would have been our year."

"That night was weird...I feel my body lean forward but my legs were still back." pic.twitter.com/gGsHN1XGPr

- Camryn Justice (@camijustice) June 18, 2026

No athlete wants to be injured, of course, but Chubb said the support he received from the fans helped get him through the rehab process and drove his desire to return to the field:

The worst part about getting hurt is not the surgery, it's the rehab. The mental aspect of it, just the support of the City of Cleveland. I have closets full of notes and letters from schools, from people, from fans all across the world. I still have it all packed, and just tremendous support and love from everyone. And obviously the medical staff, obviously the Browns, my teammates, my family, all just support from everywhere-that gives you an edge to want to go and not only get back for yourself but for everyone who's supporting you."

The future is unclear at the moment for Chubb, but he wants to continue playing. And could a reunion with the Browns be in the cards? Chubb said, You never know what can happen" when asked, but as good a story as that would be, the Browns are in a different space now, as they are in rebuilding mode.

His career may not be ending the way it began, but no one can take away what Chubb achieved during his time with the Browns.