Browns RB Nick Chubb on return vs. Steelers: 'I hope so'

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Browns RB Nick Chubb on possible return vs. Steelers: 'I hope so'

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 10/28/21

The Cleveland Browns are still one of, if not the most, banged-up team in the NFL, particularly on offense. They could be getting back a huge weapon for what is their biggest game to date on Sunday, as the team hosts the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 8.

Stud running back Nick Chubb returned to the practice field earlier this week and is tentatively on track to suit up against Pittsburgh. With fellow backfield mate Kareem Hunt on injured reserve, unheralded third-year back D'Ernest Johnson got the starting nod in Week 7 and erupted for 146 rushing yards and one touchdown on 22 carries to lead the Browns to a 17-14 win over the Denver Broncos.

Cleveland will be most dangerous when both Chubb and Hunt are in the lineup, though, not to mention ailing quarterback Baker Mayfield and beat-up wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry. Despite missing the past two games, Chubb is still the NFL's fourth-leading rusher with 523 yards.

"I hope so," Chubb said of playing against the Steelers, per NFL.com's Nick Shook. "We'll see how this week goes, we'll see how practice goes and we'll make the decision later on."

The Browns will enter Sunday's bout against the Steelers at 4-3, just one game behind both the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens for the division lead and one-half game ahead of Pittsburgh.

Unlike the other three teams in the AFC North, Cleveland will have to wait until late in the season to have their bye week. Pittsburgh had their bye in Week 7, Baltimore is currently on theirs and Cincinnati has theirs in Week 10.

Following the game against the Steelers, the Browns will have back-to-back road games against the Bengals and New England Patriots, followed by a home game against the Detroit Lions and a road tilt against the Ravens before earning their bye in Week 13.

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