Injury update on Browns star gives Cowboys big Week 1 advantage

The Dallas Cowboys have an interesting matchup to say the least in Week 1 as they face the Cleveland Browns on the road. While it's better to play in Cleveland in September in January, but the Browns are the type of team that has given Dallas fits in the past.

The Browns love to play smash-mouth football. They have a formidable pass rush led by reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. They also have arguably the best defensive backfield in the NFL and a dynamic linebacker in Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, whom the Cowboys should have drafted in 2021 over cornerback Kelvin Joseph.

While Cleveland's defense could cause headaches for Dak Prescott, their commitment to the run game on offense will be an excellent first test for Mike Zimmer. The Browns have been one of the most successful rushing teams in the league and that doesn't figure to change in 2024.

Stymieing the Browns' run game won't be easy, but the Cowboys have caught a huge break in that regard two weeks before the Sept. 8 opener.

Cowboys likely won't see Browns star running back Nick Chubb in Week 1

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Browns running back Nick Chubb will open the season on the physically unable to perform list while he completes his knee rehab. Chubb is recovering from a torn ACL and partially torn ACL suffered in Week 2 of last season.

The injury was so gruesome in real time that folks were concerned if Chubb, who suffered a similar injury to the same knee at Georgia, would play again. It's incredible that Chubb is on track to return by October, but it's massive for the Cowboys that he will presumably miss Week 1.

A four-time Pro Bowler and arguably the best pound-for-pound running back in the game, Chubb would be a nightmare matchup for Dallas. While the defense is expected to be better against the run under Zimmer, the Browns have a top-tier offensive line for Chubb to run behind.

Before his devastating injury, Chubb galloped for 1,000 rushing yards in four straight seasons. From 2019 to 2022, only Derrick Henry had more rushing yards than Chubb. He is also third in yards per carry during that span and third with 40 rushing touchdowns.

Without Chubb, the Browns will lean on Jerome Ford, a fifth-round pick in 2022. Ford totaled over 1,100 yards from scrimmage as RB1 last year after Chubb's injury. He's a quality dual-threat backup, but it goes without saying that he's nowhere near the player that Chubb is.

Nobody is saying that the Cowboys should now beat the Browns. Even sans Chubb, Cleveland's roster is immensely talented and their physicality could cause Dallas problems. The Cowboys are also dealing with their own injury concerns.

At the same time, though, Chubb is the heart and soul of Cleveland's offense. His absence could force Deshaun Watson to throw more if Dallas thwarts Ford. That would be exactly what the doctor ordered.

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