Nick Chubb cleared a significant checkpoint on his road back to an NFL field when he returned to practice this week.

It was the first time Chubb had taken a practice field since Week 2 of the 2023 season. Understandably, the moment was magical for the Cleveland Browns' four-time Pro Bowl running back, Nick Shook of NFL.com reports.

"It didn't feel real. It felt like a dream," Chubb said afterward. "I've been battling this for a while now. It was great to get all that off my shoulders and finally get back out there."

Chubb's 21-day window to return to the active roster officially opened this week, rounding the corner toward the finish line that has at times seemed incredibly far off for the running back. He'll be back before long, and when the time comes, Browns fans will be overjoyed to see No. 24 taking the field.

There will be some underlying concern, though. Chubb's knee injury was only the latest in a career that has seen a couple of them in the past. And at 28 years old, there's no guarantee he'll ever recapture the elite form that has seen him rush for 1,000 yards in four of his six NFL seasons.

There's also the mental hurdle that comes with returning from a significant injury to play in the blindingly fast environment that is an NFL game. Fortunately for Chubb, he has some experience with returning from such injuries.

"I don't think so," Chubb said when asked if he was worried about getting hit in his legs. "Once you get out there and you're running around, it's like you're eight years old again. It's like riding a bike. That's not something that's in my head. I mean, you can't control that. So I'm gonna go out there and play fast."

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/theredzoneorg 
   
Don't forget to follow us on Threads at https://www.threads.net/@theredzoneorg 
     
Like us on Facebook at http://facebook.com/Theredzone.org