Bradley Chubb’s most recent memory from a football field involves screaming in intense pain and clutching his leg.
It happened last New Year’s Eve, during the fourth quarter of a 56-19 loss at Baltimore. Chubb tried to tackle running back Melvin Gordon III, but after a few steps, he cut back and fell to the ground. He was then carted off the field.
“I just remember screaming my lungs out on the field because of the pain I was in,” Chubb said Thursday, speaking to reporters for the first time since the injury.
Chubb said he tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), meniscus, and patellar tendon in his right knee, requiring nearly five hours of surgery.
“It’s been an up-and-down journey for sure,” Chubb said. “Starting from getting the surgery … and you know, coming back home and having my mom and dad there with me, my girlfriend there with me helping me out throughout the whole process. And seeing from when I was there to where I am now, it’s been nothing short of a blessing.”
Chubb began this season on the physically unable to perform list, and last week, the Dolphins designated him to return to practice.
Coach Mike McDaniel decided not to activate Chubb for Miami’s game against the New York Jets last Sunday, saying he didn’t want to rush the star pass rusher back after 11 months of recovery.
McDaniel mentioned on Wednesday that he expected Chubb to increase his practice reps, along with linebacker Cameron Goode, who has also missed the season due to a knee injury. Their availability for this Sunday will depend on how this week of practice goes.
“For me, I’m just waiting to see the signs of guys that are unable to tolerate not playing in the games anymore and that they’re ready,” McDaniel said. “So some good week of opportunity and observation really to get those guys jumping back in, but we won’t get ahead of ourselves.”
“We’ll let it play out because again, especially guys coming off extended missed time, half of it is what they’re able to do that day, then half of it is the feedback the next day. Because when their bodies are telling them something, we’re trying to listen to make sure that we don’t overcook the whole process.”
Chubb said returning to practice felt good, but he didn’t want to set a timetable for when he might be ready to play.
“I’m just taking it day by day. I’m not trying to look big picture right now,” Chubb said. “Just trying to see how I feel each and every day, how it responds to each and every different obstacle that’s thrown at me right now, and so far it has been good. So hopefully it trends in the right direction.”
Chubb, who was traded to the Dolphins from Denver in November 2022, entered the Week 17 matchup last year leading the team with 11 sacks, a league-high six forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and 78 tackles.
It was the best statistical season of his career.
“At the top of the world,” Chubb said. “It feels like God finds ways to humble you, you know what I mean?”
This was Chubb’s third ACL tear. The fifth overall pick in the 2018 draft tore his left ACL with the Broncos in 2019 and ruptured the same ACL in high school.
Having Chubb back would help the Dolphins’ defense, which has struggled in recent games, even in last week’s win over the Jets.
Injuries have played a role. Miami has been without linebacker Jaelan Phillips, who suffered a season-ending ACL tear in Week 4 after tearing his Achilles tendon late last season.
Although it has been difficult for Chubb to watch the ups and downs of the Dolphins’ season — they started 2-6 after losing starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for four games due to a concussion — he said he is grateful for the journey and excited to get back on the field.
“Being on that field the last time screaming and holding my leg and doing all this,” Chubb said, “it would be cool to get back on there and have a new memory of my last football snap.”
