Nick Chubb scores TD for Browns in return after serious knee injury ended his 2023 season

CLEVELAND (AP) — Nick Chubb made it all the way back — like he promised.

Cleveland's star running back, whose 2023 season ended with a knee injury in Week 2, returned to the field Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, providing a lift for Browns fans and a team needing a spark.

Chubb received a thunderous ovation during pregame player introductions, in contrast to quarterback Deshaun Watson being booed as he ran out of the tunnel.

Watson later suffered a likely season-ending Achilles tendon injury, another blow to a franchise that has taken its share.

Chubb scored a touchdown on a 1-yard run and finished with 22 yards on 11 carries. He also had one catch for 10 yards.

“I was just happy to see him out there, all the work he’s put in,” guard Joel Bitonio said. “What everyone says about Nick Chubb is great, and he’s a better person than he is a player. He’s a heck of a player.

“So it was good to have him back out there. I wish we would’ve been a little more successful ... and got a win. But I’m glad he got in the end zone.”

Chubb had just one carry in the second half, but coach Kevin Stefanski said that wasn't any reason for concern.

“No setbacks,” he said. "Just always trying to be smart with him. Want to make sure that we don’t put him in a bad spot. He was good. He came out of this thing good. So, he’ll be ready to roll.”

Last season, Chubb, who is one of the most popular athletes in Cleveland history, was carted off the field after his left knee, the same one he injured while at Georgia, was wrecked on a hard hit near the goal line by Pittsburgh safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Earlier this week, Chubb wrote an essay in which he said he feared his football career was over as he was carted off the field.

After the Bengals returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, Chubb got his first carry in more than a year on the third play and picked up 2 yards.

Chubb has rushed for 6,511 yards and scored 48 touchdowns in five-plus seasons for the Browns, who drafted him in the second round in 2018.

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Tom Withers, The Associated Press