The Cleveland Browns are getting some reinforcements this week after the bye.
Nick Chubb is the biggest name of those returning and if all goes as planned, he is expected to be on the field against the Houston Texans on Sunday.
This is huge news and his absence loomed large over the offense since the running back went down with a knee injury back in Week 4.
The Browns are still 5-3, but there was a huge void on offense without the star runner.
Kareem Hunt did well as the lead back.
However, the whole point of him being here is to be part of a duo with Chubb, and also get a lot of work as a receiver.
So Chubb is back and the next step is him looking like his old self.
Let’s “buy” and “sell” the chances of him being a 100-yard rusher against the Texans this week.
Nick Chubb, Wyatt Teller, Austin Hooper and Jacob Phillips were all back at practice today for the #Browns.
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) November 9, 2020
Buy
The Texans run defense is atrocious.
In fact, it is the worst in the NFL at 159.5 yards allowed per game.
That bodes well for Chubb to easily reach 100 yards without even needing 20 or more carries.
We all know Chubb’s potential is extremely high.
https://twitter.com/FredGreetham/status/1325904461294755841
Week 1 saw him finish with 60 yards on 10 carries in a blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
He then eclipsed the 100-yard mark in the following two games and was at 43 yards on six carries before suffering his injury against the Dallas Cowboys.
The third-year back is averaging 5.9 yards per carry this season in limited action one year after averaging an even 5.0 yards per carry.
He is also in a Kevin Stefanski offense focused on running the ball.
Chubb willed his way to nearly winning the rushing title last season under a coach who had no idea what he was doing.
100 yards before the third quarter is a fair expectation in this game against such a weak defense.
Sell
The obvious concern is how Chubb’s knee will hold up upon his return.
It is also possible Stefanski does end up easing him back in, giving Hunt and even D’Ernest Johnson more carries.
#Browns Kareem Hunt leads the league in rushes of 10+ yards (20) pic.twitter.com/pUlZbdnaeL
— MoreForYouCleveland (@MoreForYou_CLE) November 6, 2020
The “sell” in this scenario all comes down to how Chubb feels.
Not being well enough to get at least 15 carries would be the only way he doesn’t tear up the Texans defense.
Wyatt Teller is also returning on the offensive line so Chubb is set up to succeed in a big way.
His long-term health remains important because the back is looking for a nice extension this offseason before he enters a contract year in 2021.
That means there should be some extra caution as he returns from the injury.
However, if he says he is fine and the medical staff says the same, there is no real reason to take it easy.
A win against the Texans is not guaranteed and the Browns are still fighting for a playoff spot.
Chubb being back should mean he is at full-go and fans can take the “buy” scenario for his quest to 100 yards on the day.
NEXT: Should The Browns Have Protected QB Garrett Gilbert?
