Words like “greusome,” “sickening,” and “stomach turning” were all over social media after Browns running back Nick Chubb was injured on Monday Night Football. The network refused to show it again but anyone who watched it live or after on another outlet that lands between the letters “W” and “Y” will tell you this one is very significant. While we’re still waiting to see the exact extent of the knee injury sustained, it’s fair to safely assume this is an injury that’s going to knock Chubb out for the rest of the season at the very least. If news comes in that changes that, perfect! However, let’s just safely assume Ian Rapoport is correct and we’re dealing with a serious knee injury that includes several damaged ligaments. This is going to have some serious impact in dynasty leagues, so let’s run down the players involved.
Nick Chubb, RB CLE
Our job is to analyze the landscape of dynasty leagues and give you advice, as cruel as that may seem. With that being said, let’s dive in and do our jobs. After dealing with some injuries at Georgia (including a catastrophic knee injury there as well), Chubb has been remarkably durable in the NFL, posting four straight 1,000 yard seasons and only missing a handful of games in his five-year career. By many measures, Chubb is the best pure running back in the league. Unfortunately, this injury is destined to put him on the shelf for a long time, with the presumption being his season is likely over. He’ll be 28 at this time next year (and turn 29 next December), so it’s fair to wonder just what he may have left in the tank after he recovers. In the cruel world that replaces running backs like Dixie cups, Chubb has reached a critical moment in his career. There’s a potential out in his contract at the end of this season, so that’s going to be a major story to watch.
Chubb’s ADP had actually experienced a boost this Summer as Kareem Hunt was finally out of the picture. However, that lofty ranking of #26 overall is going to dive dramatically in the coming weeks. Let’s hope he comes back strong but dynasty owners will respond accordingly when and if that happens.
Jerome Ford, RB CLE
With every injury, there is a winner and a loser in terms of value. Chubb’s value is going to go down dramatically while Ford’s is going to experience a meteoric rise. The Browns liked Ford enough to let both Kareem Hunt and D’Ernest Johnson walk out the door this off-season. They could scour the waiver wires and trade markets to find a replacement for Chubb but it’s more likely they ride Ford and see what he has to give. Make no mistake, this is a huge opportunity for him and one that could re-shape the landscape of fantasy football this year. After all, the Browns want to run the football and there are boatloads of fantasy points to be had. Ford was solid in replacement of Chubb on MNF. Can he keep it going?
Pierre Strong, RB CLE
The Browns were wise to go and grab Strong earlier this off-season via trade as he could very well be needed now with Chubb on the shelf. Strong was buried in New England and didn’t really get much of a chance to shine. This should change moving forward and he should be added off waiver wires this week. At the very least, he looks like a solid change-of-pace back for the Browns.
Veteran Running Backs
This could get interesting. The name destined to be kicked around the most this week in terms of a possible trade is likely going to be Cam Akers, who the Rams are looking to move. A change of scenery is really needed for Akers at this point and the Browns are now a logical fit. If Akers isn’t of interest to them, you would imagine they could look to bring back Kareem Hunt, take a look at James Robinson or Leonard Fournette or even go for the big kahuna and look to get Jonathan Taylor. Chances are the Browns roll with Ford and see what they have in him rather than spend a ton of draft capital on getting someone else. Time will tell but the injury to Chubb is clearly going to create some major ripples across the league.
Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
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I didn’t follow why K Hunt left the Browns, no chance he goes back there?
Is Chubb droppable? We have two IR slots and I currently have Kyler Murray and Jonathan Taylor sitting there. Is Chubb worth holding until next year or is it too much of a gamble?
Would you sell high on Jerome Ford or hang onto him? Assuming you already had a decent batch or RBs?
I am in the same boat. Already have Gibbs, Mixon, KWIII, and JT (I assume he plays after the 4th week) in a need to start 2 RB group. But I might use this as a chance to trade Mixon instead…
For advice on the situation, head to the DLF forum – https://forum.dynastyleaguefootball.com/index.php
My heart goes out to Chubb on what could be a career-ending injury. Same knee he injured in college. Hope the very best for his likely procedure, recovery, rehab, and hopefully his return to NFL action.
Jerome Ford looked decisive and explosive last night. I scooped him off waivers in a few leagues last year due to advice found on DLF. Most thought that, should he secure the backup role, he’d have Hunt-like standalone value at flex. Now we’ll probably get to see what he can make of a starter opportunity.
