Chubb makes a step forward in recovery

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Georgia held its second on-site bowl practice on Tuesday, but the most intriguing sight came afterward, from a player who wasn’t participating.

Nick Chubb was walking without crutches or a boot, something that hasn’t been seen, at least by the media. As recently as two weeks ago at the team’s senior gala Chubb was using crutches. He did appear to be wearing a brace, but that was it.

There is still no timetable for Chubb’s return. He suffered what the team called a “significant” injury to his left knee, involving “multiple ligaments and cartilage.” But it did not include the ACL, arteries or nerves.

“He’s doing good,” fellow sophomore tailback Sony Michel said. “In good spirits. He doesn’t have any worries. He knows he’s gonna be back strong next year, playing football.”

Georgia interim head coach Bryan McClendon, who recruited Chubb to Georgia, compared him to another Georgia tailback who suffered a knee injury. Todd Gurley tore his ACL in November of 2014 and returned a few games into this NFL season, and has surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in his rookie season with one game to go.

“Those guys haven’t done anything normal or usual their entire lives. So as far as looking at a normal timetable on guys like that, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he’s back way ahead of schedule, and he’s back effective way ahead of schedule. So that’s what I would expect from him, just knowing him as a person, him as an athlete, him as a competitor.”

Chubb is with the team in Jacksonville this week in order to continue rehabilitation with Georgia’s training staff. He has been with the team for most trips since his injuries, missing only the ones that involved flying, as that’s not good for knee recovery.

“It really is invaluable,” McClendon said. “Just to have a guy that’s been so productive, and a good teammate, a good team leader. Anytime you have those guys around the team it’s always a positive.”