Browns RB Nick Chubb may finally play his first snaps since getting injured last season against the Steelers. Having suffered a devastating knee injury that ruptured his ACL, MCL, and PCL. Chubb needed multiple surgeries that led to him eventually entering this season on the PUP list. However, with the Bengals clash coming up this Sunday, the Browns may finally get Chubb back into the lineup as coach Kevin Stefanski gave a positive update on him.

As shared by Ian Rapoport on his X, Stefanski said Chubb could play on Sunday, thereby confirming an emotional return to Cleveland. Well, OC Ken Dorsey also said that he has a “plan in place” for Chubb so that he can seamlessly find his mojo back on the field. “We want to make sure that he’s available for the long term.” Seeing players come back from such lengthy injuries, they often suffer another if certain things don’t do right.

So, taking precautions with Chubb is something that can benefit the Browns in their sinking season. Their offense lacks any firepower, as the Browns rank dead-last in total yards per game (240.2) and 30th for average points per game (15.8). Considering the chances of Chubb playing his first game back this year, he was visibly excited to help his team. Sharing his thoughts ahead of the Bengals clash, the four-time Pro Bowler said, “I’m ready to get out there with my team, ready to do whatever I can. I feel good.”

But Chubb isn’t the only player who could be returning from a knee injury. As the return specialist, Nyheim Hines could play his first snaps in Cleveland since signing for the Browns this offseason. Amid Chubb’s and Hines’ return to the lineup, few could remain absent from the Bengals clash.

Safety Ronnie Hickman gets ruled out, thereby putting the Browns’ defense sort on key players yet again. Meanwhile, LB Jordan Hicks, center Ethan Pocic and safety Juan Thornhill are given questionable tags ahead of this week’s action in Cleveland. Out of all those players, RB Jerome Ford’s absence from this clash may hurt the Browns. As he was the leading pass rusher going into this match-up on Sunday.

Amid Nick Chubb’s emotional return, Jerome Ford gets ruled out of Bengals clash

Leading up to Sunday’s clash, Jerome Ford was ahead of everyone in the Browns rushing department. His 250 yards on 48 carries was something that kept the Browns going on the offense. However, him being injured on the second drive last weekend doesn’t bode good news for the Browns. Before exiting the field with a hamstring, he ran for 14 yards on two carries. But it wasn’t enough, as the Browns lost their fifth game of the season in Philadelphia.

After missing out on training the whole week, Ford is slated to miss at least this game before week 8 comes by. However, Chubb, who has over 100 rushing yards in the six games he faced off against the Bengals, could offer some respite to their offense, which doesn’t seem to have anything this season. Deshaun Watson, who was supposed to lead the Browns to a playoff spot this year, has failed miserably. Watson still hasn’t covered more than 250 yards for a single game this season. His 1,020 passing yards ranks at the bottom of all NFL QBs within the league.

So the question is, can the Browns enjoy any boost from their return of four-time Pro Bowler RB Nick Chubb? Or will it be just a new week and the same result that the Browns fans have grown tired of after their 1-5 start to the season? Guess we will find out in Cleveland this week, as both teams aim to turn their season around on Sunday.