Is Nick Chubb playing this week? Injury update, Browns RB fantasy outlook ahead of Week 7 vs. Bengals

After a long recovery from a leg injury he suffered in 2023, Nick Chubb is almost back.

The Browns’ star running back, who ran for over 1,000 yards in four straight seasons before his injury, has been rehabilitating in preparation for his long-awaited return to the field.

That return is almost complete — but will Chubb be ready for the Browns’ Week 7 game against the Bengals?

Here are the latest updates on Chubb’s status for Week 7, as well as a look at Cleveland’s running back depth chart and Chubb’s fantasy prospects.

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Is Nick Chubb playing this week? Browns RB injury update

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanksi told reporters Friday that he expects Chubb to play against the Bengals, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Barring any setbacks, Cleveland’s star running back will get his first reps in the game since Week 2 of the 2023 season, when he suffered a devastating knee injury that tore multiple ligaments and ended his season.

Cleveland opened Chubb’s 21-day training window in early October, preparing for his return to the field in Week 7. Chubb, 28, recently wrote an article in The Players Tribune about his recovery from injury.

“‘Damn, I really did that…” again.’ That was my first thought after losing to Pittsburgh last season. When you get hurt like I was hurt, the strange thing is that you don’t even really feel anything. But you hear everything,” Chubb wrote. “You hear this strange silence in the crowd. You can feel your teammates gathering around you. You often hear, “It’s going to be okay, brother.” That’s never a good sign.

Chubb referenced another serious injury of his in the article that occurred when he was a running back at Georgia. However, Chubb will make a full recovery from his serious leg injury and return to the football field for the second time.

He will provide a much-needed boost to the Browns’ offense, which ranks last in the NFL in yards per game (240.2) and 28th in rushing yards per game (97.2). While Chubb may only play a limited number of snaps as he adjusts, his return is significant for Cleveland.

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Brown’s RB depth chart

rank	player
1	Nick Chubb
2	Jerome Ford (out)
3	D’Onta Foreman
4	Pierre Strong Jr.

No. 1: Nick Chubb

There’s no doubt about who Cleveland’s best running back is when healthy, as Chubb was one of the game’s most productive rushers for years before his injury.

The healthier he gets, the fewer snaps he will play against the Bengals, but either way, Chubb’s presence makes the Browns’ offense much more dangerous.

No. 2: Jerome Ford

According to ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi, the Browns ruled Ford out of Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury. Between 2023 and the current season, Ford has played a significant role in Cleveland’s backfield in Chubb’s absence.

Last season, Ford totaled 204 carries for 813 yards and four touchdowns. He has 264 rushing yards so far this year, but in Week 7 he and Chubb will swap positions as Ford heads to the sideline and Chubb returns to the field.

No. 3: D’Onta Foreman

Foreman is the Browns’ best option on Sunday to make Chubb’s job easier as he slowly returns to action.

The 28-year-old Foreman, who also spent time with Houston, Tennessee, Carolina and Chicago, had 124 rushing yards in six games this season.

No. 4: Pierre Strong Jr.

A fourth-round pick in 2022, Strong Jr. has been a strong option for the Browns since joining the team in 2023.

With Ford out and Chubb returning from injury, Strong Jr. could also see some carries against the Bengals.

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Nick Chubb Week 7 Fantasy Outlook

Since it is his first game back from his long-term injury, Chubb could play limited snaps in Week 7, which would also limit his potential fantasy impact.

Still, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him break free on a run or find the end zone based on his annual performance before last season’s loss. Expectations for Chubb should be tempered in his first week back, but even if expectations are lowered, he will still likely end up in RB3 territory against Cincinnati.

Especially considering Ford won’t be playing against the Bengals, there should be some good running opportunities for Chubb when he returns. However, the Browns offense as a whole was not fantasy friendly, averaging just 15.8 points per game.

Chubb should help Cleveland’s offense, but he’s a riskier starter in Week 7 after missing so much time. Once he fully settles in and earns a bigger workload, Chubb’s fantasy attitude should only improve.