Browns RB Chubb calls returning from knee surgery “a dream.” It is still unclear when he will play in the game

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Nick Chubb’s first moments back on the field, back among his Browns teammates, were amazing.

“It didn’t feel real,” Chubb said. “It felt like a dream.”

More than a year after Chubb broke his left knee for the second time on a routine running play, he returned to the Pro Bowl returned to training this week, a big step towards a comeback that few doubted.

“I feel like I’ve been struggling with this for a while,” Chubb said Thursday, adding that his surgically repaired knee held up in his first practice. “It was great to get all that off my shoulders and finally be back out there.”

Back in his No. 24 jersey and orange helmet, Chubb practiced Wednesday for the first time since undergoing surgery after being injured on a hit in Pittsburgh in Week 2 last season. The 28-year-old had to undergo two surgeries to repair two ligaments, the meniscus and his medial capsule.

Since then he has been working his way back. Running. Lift weights. He’s doing everything he can to get as close to the game-changing Nick Chubb as possible.

He still doesn’t know if that’s possible.

“I guess we’ll all find out at the same time,” he told reporters.

Chubb won’t play this week against Washingtonbut there’s a chance he could be active for next week’s game in Philadelphia. By designating him to return to practice, the Browns (1-3) have a 21-day window to add him to the roster.

Chubb has his own schedule for when he will play.

“Whenever I feel good,” he said.

Like himself, he made a good impression during the part of the exercise, which was open to media representatives. But Chubb knows there’s nothing that can replicate playing in a game that puts maximum stress on his knee.

This is nothing new for Chubb, who tore knee ligaments while playing at Georgia in 2015.

At some point he will get a hard blow to the knee. He’s not afraid.

“Once you get out there and walk around, it’s like you’re 8 years old again,” said Chubb, who ran for 6,511 yards and scored 48 touchdowns. “It’s like riding a bike. It’s not something I have in mind. I mean, you can’t control that.

“I’m going to go out there and play fast.”

It was a difficult start to the season for Cleveland, particularly on offense, as injuries, penalties and mistakes led to three losses in four games.

Wide receiver Amari Cooper said Chubb’s return came at the perfect time.

“Huge emotional boost,” Cooper said. “If you have a dominant running game, it’s really important in this league to have the type of running back that can turn a crack into a hole, honestly.” So having him in both practice and training would be a great asset to be there again at the games.

“Everyone here is happy about it.”

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