The Cleveland Browns entered Week 2 looking to extend their record to 2-0 with a win over the rival Pittsburgh Steelers. Things got off to a bad start when Deshaun Watson's first pass of the game was intercepted by linebacker Alex Highsmith and returned for a touchdown. Things would get much worse for Cleveland, as one of their best players left the game with a serious injury.
In the second quarter, Browns running back Nick Chubb took a carry up the middle for a five-yard gain. Chubb was stopped by Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, whose helmet made contact with his left knee, causing it to bend awkwardly. Chubb was carted off the field at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa., and was ruled out for the remainder of the game rather quickly.
This was to the same knee that Chubb suffered a torn LCL, MCL, PCL, cartilage damage, and a dislocated knee cap back in 2015 when he played for the Georgia Bulldogs.
Given how quickly Chubb was ruled out, it shows that his injury is serious. With that, the Browns will have a big hole in the running back depth chart since Chubb is one of the best at his position in the entire NFL. With Cleveland having playoff hopes this season, they will probably be enticed to make a big move to attempt to replace Chubb's production.
Here are three moves the team can make.
3 moves Browns can make to replace Nick Chubb, No. 3: Re-sign Kareem Hunt
Perhaps the easiest option for Cleveland is to re-sign running back Kareem Hunt.
The Browns brought in Hunt back in 2019, and he proved to be a good complement and a one-two punch with Chubb. Hunt could run but also make catches out of the backfield. Last season, Hunt ran for 468 yards and three touchdowns on 123 carries while catching 35-of-44 targets for 210 yards and a touchdown in 17 games.
Through his four seasons, Hunt recorded 1,874 rushing yards, 16 rushing touchdowns, 132 receptions, 973 receiving yards, and seven receiving touchdowns (166 targets) in 49 games.
Bringing in Hunt make sense, considering he knows Cleveland's offense. He is still available in free agency, as he seemingly was near a deal with the New Orleans Saints before leaving without a deal to visit the Indianapolis Colts. However, the AFC South team was unable to sign Hunt. Giving him a call would make sense for the Browns.
3 moves Browns can make to replace Nick Chubb, No. 2: Trade for Rams RB Cam Akers
One other option the Cleveland Browns can explore is to call other teams to inquire about their running backs and figure out what it would take to make a deal. There is one name that was recently placed on the trade block, and that's Cam Akers of the Los Angeles Rams.
This season, Akers was seemingly in place to be the starting running back for the Rams offense. But in Week 1, second-year running back Kyren Williams was the difference-maker, rushing for 52 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries in Los Angeles' 30-13 win over the Seattle Seahawks. Akers received 22 carries but ran for 29 yards and a touchdown.
Ahead of the Rams' Week 2 matchup against the rival San Francisco 49ers, Akers was deemed a healthy inactive by the team, and it even took him by surprise. With that, FOX Sports' Jay Glazer reported that the Rams were fielding trade calls for Akers.
With Chubb out, Akers could be a quality player to bring in to help out Cleveland's rushing attack. Akers is a restricted free agent after the season, so it likely won't cost much for the Browns to acquire him.
In his four years with the Rams (30 games, 15 starts), Akers ran for 1,443 yards and 10 touchdowns on 360 carries.
3 moves Browns can make to replace Nick Chubb, No. 1: Trade for Colts RB Jonathan Taylor
Perhaps the largest move the Cleveland Browns could make is to give the Indianapolis Colts a call to see what it would take for them to acquire Jonathan Taylor.
This offseason saw the relationship between the Colts and Taylor disintegrate, as the running back was seeking a long-term contract extension. No deal could be reached, and Taylor left training camp on multiple occasions. Owner Jim Irsay initially declared that the team would not be trading Taylor. That changed, as the Colts gave Taylor until Aug. 29 to find a team and for said organization to make them an offer. Despite reports of calls made, the Colts opted against dealing him.
Taylor is currently on the physically unable-to-perform (PUP) list for the Colts due to an ankle injury, meaning that he is sidelined for the first four games of the season at minimum. While no trade agreement was made by Aug. 29, there is still the possibility that Taylor could be dealt at the trade deadline, which takes place on Oct. 31.
Through his first three seasons, Taylor ran for 3,841 yards and 33 touchdowns on 756 carries while catching 104-of-130 targets for 802 yards and three touchdowns.
This might be the least plausible move for the Browns, considering what the Colts reportedly asked for during negotiations with the Green Bay Packers and the Miami Dolphins. Hey, it wouldn't hurt to ask.
