On Monday in Pittsburgh, Browns running back Nick Chubb was dragged off the field with what appeared to be a knee injury.
On first-and-goal at the 8-yard line, Chubb took a handoff from quarterback Deshaun Watson and was hit low by Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick at the 4-yard line.
As Chubb fell to the ground, his left knee appeared to buckle to the side.
Chubb clutched his knee, writhing in pain, and brushed aside teammates who tried to help him.
The Browns quickly ruled out their star rusher returning to the game. He previously suffered a dislocated left knee and torn MCL, PCL, and LCL in 2015, his second season at the University of Georgia.
ESPN initially did not show the replay on its “Monday Night Football” broadcast, but play-by-play commentator Joe Buck said the Heinz Field crowd watched the play on the videoboard and gasped. I relayed that I heard it.
The Steelers crowd reportedly shouted Chubb’s name as he was carried off the field in a medical cart.
Jerome Ford replaced Chubb at running back and immediately stole a 3-yard pass from Watson for a touchdown, followed by a two-point conversion to make it 11-7 in the second quarter.
Fitzpatrick also required caution after the play, but later returned to the game.
The injury came after an intense reaction from across the NFL, with players expressing concern for Chubb.
Cardinals QB Kyler Murray tweeted: “Rest in peace Nick Chubb. I never want to see that happen.”
“Praying for Nick Chubb,” Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert and Ravens QB Lamar Jackson wrote in separate posts.
Former defensive end JJ Watt tweeted: “I feel terrible.” “I’m disappointed in Nick Chubb. I think Minka will be fine. The injury sucks. These guys really suck.”
