Cleveland Browns star quarterback Nick Chubb is likely out for the season after being carted off the field Monday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a serious knee injury.
“Nick has a very serious knee injury,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said post-match briefing Monday night. “He’s a great footballer as we know, but he’s an even better person so we’ll support him every step of the way.”
Chubb was hit by Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick in the second quarter of Monday’s game and his left knee went in, NFL.com reported. Chubb was seen clutching his leg in pain and medics rushed onto the field. He was quickly sent off the field and ejected from the game.
Stefanski wasn’t sure how many ligaments the 27-year-old Georgia athlete tore.
Asked if he expected Chubb to be out for the season, Stefanski said, “Yes.”
Chubb injured the same knee during his college career at Georgia in 2015; in that case, he had a torn MCL, LCL and PCL, according to ESPN.
“It’s a blow to the whole team and we don’t want his injury to be in vain,” Myles Garrett said with the team in the player’s postgame. Press conference. “We have to go on, that’s what he would have us do. And if he had a choice in the matter, he would. I just have to keep fighting and use it as motivation.”
Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson said Chubb’s injury brought back “a lot of memories of the last one he had in college.”
“Honestly, it was tough,” he told reporters after the game. “I know he doesn’t have a ‘C’ on his jersey, but he’s a captain, he’s a leader, he’s the definition of this team, this city, this organization. We’ve got some holes for him to fill.”
Well wishes poured in for Chubb on social media.
Basketball icon LeBron James he tweeted “DAMN MAN!!!! Nick Chubb. I’m praying for the best.”
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson he tweeted: “Prayers for Nick Chubb.”
“I love you Nick…Prayers up,” Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield wrote on social media. Meanwhile, former teammate Odell Beckham Jr. wrote, “Pray for my brother Chubb.”
