CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Browns activated running backs Nick Chubb and Demetric Felton from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday morning.
Both are available for Sunday’s game against the 0-8-1 Lions.
“It’s great to have No. 24 back. He’s the man,” defensive end Myles Garrett said. “One of the best in the league and a great locker room guy. I know you all don’t see it much, but he’s more talkative than he gives off. It’s great to see him out here, especially in no sleeves. He doesn’t care about this cold.”
Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt indicated Thursday that Chubb would likely be on a carry count as to not overextend him but the two-time Pro bowler is prepared to carry the load, no matter the size.
“I'm ready for whatever,” Chubb said Friday.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski was confident his lead back would return for Detroit.
“That is how it was trending. We felt good about it going that way,” Stefanski said. “It was good to see him in the building. His teammates were excited to see him. Nick is very important to what we do and who we are.”
Chubb, Felton and John Kelly all landed on the list following positive tests last week.
Fortunately for Chubb, his symptoms were mild, at worst.
“I felt bad maybe one day, but other than that, I felt great,” Chubb said.
While disappointed he had to sit out last week, Chubb understood why.
“I could put other people at risk, and that was my mindset,” Chubb said. “Even though I felt good, I felt like I could play possibly, I still had it in my system, it was better just to wait it out, so that's what I had to do.”
Despite missing three games – two because of a calf injury and last week’s 45-7 loss at New England due to COVID, Chubb ranks third in the NFL with 721 rushing yards. His six touchdowns leads the team and he is averaging 6.0 yards per carry in 2021.
The Browns have lost four of their last six games and they are 1-2 without him.
“Seeing my team out there and not having things go our way, it was hard for me to watch,” Chubb said. “But it's a new week, a new opportunity. We still have everything ahead of us.”
With seven games remaining, Chubb is confident the inconsistencies on both sides of the ball will flatten out and they’ll get it together.
“We've done it before,” Chubb said. “We've shown on offense what we can be and it's just a matter of doing it week-in and week-out, being more consistent. We showed that we can be a great offense, great defense, great team, just a matter of doing it on Sunday.”