Chubb continues to practice ‘like he’s going to play in that first game’
Nick Chubb knew it was a big deal to finally be tackled to the ground.
He remembers the first hit he took in last Saturday’s scrimmage, too, to prove the point. Inside linebacker Johnny O’Neal squared him up and made the tackle. It was a routine play, on both sides of the ball, as if Chubb had never experienced the severe knee injury he sustained in last October’s game against Tennessee.
O’Neal didn’t say anything to Georgia’s star running back as they got up. The only thought in Chubb’s mind was to make sure he came up OK.
"It happened and I was making sure my body wasn’t bending the other way," Chubb said, drawing laughs.
Considering the significance of Chubb’s left knee injury – which included a torn PCL, MCL and LCL – it’s quite remarkable he’s close to being ready for the 2016 college football season.
Every indication, at this time, is that barring a setback, Chubb will be good to go for the Sept. 3 season opener against North Carolina.
Chubb just isn’t ready to make that statement yet. He realizes something unforeseen could happen, even in the upcoming second scrimmage on Saturday. There are still some mental blocks to clear before he’ll be able to play in live game action.
"It’s a little day-by-day process. I just take it day by day," Chubb said. "I feel good, to do a lot of things to help my knee out. Getting tackled a couple of times, that helps. You just never know until that day comes."
While Chubb wouldn’t go there, head coach Kirby Smart, in a Wednesday interview with radio station 680 The Fan, gave another optimistic take on his status for the North Carolina game.
"It’s pointing in that direction," Smart said on whether Chubb will be ready to play.
Chubb actually hoped for more contact in Georgia’s first scrimmage but the referees officiating were quick to blow the whistle each time he carried the ball.
It wasn’t anything that upset Chubb, although he wished he could’ve been treated like everyone else.
"I wanted to feel as if I’m with the team and play live, and get tackled to the ground – just for myself, just to get back to the feel of actually getting tackled," Chubb said. "But it didn’t tick me off. I just didn’t know why they blew the whistle."
Nearly three weeks into preseason practice, Chubb hasn’t been held out of any work.
Georgia right tackle Greg Pyke said Chubb "hasn’t missed a beat" since practice began on Aug. 1.
In fact, Pyke went a step further in his analysis of how Chubb’s looked since returning from the injury.
"We’ve seen him out there and he looks like he’s full speed," Pyke said. "He looks even faster out there. It’s nice to see when everyone on the offensive line is blocking those guys, that you see the back of that No. 27 jersey."
Pyke said he’s unsure if Chubb will be able to play against North Carolina. But based on what he’s seen from Chubb this far into August, Pyke believes the Heisman Trophy hopeful is preparing like he’ll be on the Georgia Dome turf.
"He comes out to practice every day like he’s going to play in that first game," Pyke said.
Following Saturday’s scrimmage, Chubb said there was no swelling or soreness in his left knee. The only thing bugging Chubb physically is adjusting to the knee brace, although he noted it’s nothing that affects his knee in a negative way.
Chubb admitted he’s surprised he’s at a stage where there’s a high likelihood he’ll be able to play against North Carolina. More so than physically, the next step is focusing on the mental aspect of where he’ll be come early September.
"I have to prepare both ways now," Chubb said. "I’ve kind of prepared, if I’m going to play, to get my mind right for it. If I’m not, I’ll have to accept not being out there for the first game of the season."
This story was originally published August 17, 2016 at 8:27 PM with the headline "Chubb continues to practice ‘like he’s going to play in that first game’."