It was a scene that brought a smile to the faces of many football fans during the Monday Night Football matchup between Cleveland and Pittsburgh.
Browns star running back Nick Chubb had to be carted off the field with an apparent injury to his left knee. The injury occurred early in the second quarter when the Browns were in danger of scoring in the red zone.
With Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and linebacker Cole Holcomb bringing him down, Chubb ran the ball 5 yards to the left side of the offensive line.
The injury was so bad that ESPN would not show replays.
Announcer Joe Buck said, “I’ve been told there will be no replay of Nick Chubb being injured.”
Buck said fans were shown a replay on the scoreboard and the crowd gasped.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Chubb has a “very serious knee injury.” Although Chubb will undergo additional evaluation, Stefanski said after the game that he expected Chubb to miss the remainder of the season.
“We feel for the guy,” Stefanski said. “As we know, he’s a great football player, but he’s an even better person. We’ll support him every step of the way.”
Chubb has provided the Browns with a significant lift since being drafted No. 35 overall in 2018. He has been named to the Pro Bowl in four consecutive seasons. In 2020, he also played a key role in leading the Browns to their first playoff win since 1994.
Browns linebacker Sione Takitaki said, “I literally prayed because I was so hurt for him. I think you guys see it too, the whole team is hurt. Really sad for my guy.”
The Browns, who have appeared in the postseason only once in the last 20 years, fell to 1-1 on the season as Pittsburgh won 26-22 on Monday.
This was the second consecutive Monday Night Football game to involve a potential season-ending injury. Last Monday, Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles tendon just minutes into the game.