Running back Nick Chubb is officially back for the Browns.
The Browns activated Chubb from the physically unable to perform list on Saturday. Chubb has been out since suffering a major knee injury in Week Two of the 2023 season and he has been practicing with the team for the last couple of weeks.
Jerome Ford was ruled out on Friday, so Chubb will join D’Onta Foreman and Pierre Strong in the backfield against the Bengals on Sunday.
Safety Juan Thornhill was also activated on Saturday. Thornhill had nine tackles in the season opener, but went on injured reserve after hurting his calf.
The Browns rounded out the day’s moves by elevating wide receiver Jaelon Darden from the practice squad.
The Bengals added a shin injury to Joe Burrow’s listing on their practice report, though Burrow has still been a full participant.
Via Ben Baby of ESPN, Cincinnati head coach Zac Taylor said on Friday that Burrow was only experiencing shin soreness and it isn’t anything major.
Burrow has been on the injury report throughout the season with the right wrist issue that prematurely ended his 2023, listed as a full participant.
In six games this season, Burrow has completed 71.6 percent of his passes for 1,578 yards with 12 touchdowns and two interceptions.
The Bengals have one player with an injury designation for Sunday’s game against the Browns. Defensive back D.J. Ivey, who’s returning from the physically unable to perform list, is questionable with a knee issue. He has been a full participant in practice all week.
Cornerback DJ Turner (ankle) and defensive tackle Kris Jenkins (thumb) have no status and are set to play.
Cleveland will get a big boost to its offense on Sunday.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters in his Friday news conference that despite Nick Chubb being listed as questionable, he’s expecting the running back to play against the Bengals.
Stefanski didn’t go into what Chubb’s pitch count might be, but he did note that he, Chubb, and running backs coach Deuce Staley have discussed that.
“It’s talking with Nick, talking with [him and] how he feels and with Deuce, we have a plan in place,” Stefanski said. “And then you have to be ready to adjust, based on how Nick is feeling.”
Chubb is returning from having suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2 of last year.
In his last healthy season of 2022, Chubb rushed for a career-high 1,525 yards with 12 touchdowns.
The Browns are also listing running back Nyheim Hines (knee) as questionable as he returns from injured reserve, but Stefanski said Hines is unlikely to play.
Center Ethan Pocic (knee), linebacker Jordan Hicks (elbow, triceps), and safety Juan Thornhill (calf) are also questionable. Thornhill is returning from IR.
Running back Jerome Ford (hamstring) and safety Ronnie Hickman (ankle) have both been ruled out.
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has been a regular on the team’s injury reports this season, but a new reason was given for Thursday’s appearance on the list.
The right wrist injury that ended Burrow’s 2023 season has been given as the reason for being on the list and he remains on the list for that reason. Thursday’s report also shows him as dealing with a shin issue.
Burrow was still a full participant, so it does not appear to be an injury that threatens to keep Burrow from playing against the Browns this weekend. It is something else for the quarterback to deal with as he tries to get the Bengals to 3-4 on the year.
Cornerback D.J. Ivey (knee) and defensive tackle Kris Jenkins (thumb) were also full participants. Cornerback D.J. Turner (ankle) was their only limited participant.
As the Bengals’ lease at Paycor Stadium inches toward a conclusion, the powers-that-be in and around Cincinnati are considering different options for moving forward.
Via the Cincinnati Business Courier, Hamilton County will “look at how much it will cost and the logistics” of adding a dome to the venue.
The thinking is that a roof will allow the stadium to be used in the winter months.
The Cincinnati Enquirer has quotes from Hamilton County Board of Commissioners President Alicia Reece, who offers a pragmatic take on the issue of adding a lid to the stadium.
“People have been asking us about a dome,” Reece said. “We don’t want somebody sitting here in 20 years asking, ‘Why in the world didn’t they think about it?’ Because I’ve been thinking the same thing, ‘Why didn’t these guys get a dome last time?’”
Domes definitely increase revenue opportunities, eliminating weather as a factor in scheduling events.
