The Houston Texans must lean on Nick Chubb for the early portion of the regular season, which is a daunting ask considering what the four-time Pro Bowler has been through physically. But Chubb has received some noteworthy endorsements in addition to making key comments.
Chubb, who turns 30 in December, is on a one-year, $2.5 million contract (with $38.9 million in career earnings), is supposed to be the Texans’ RB2.
But former NFL agent Joel Corry, now an analyst for CBS Sports, offered an encouraging take.
Texans RB Nick Chubb Tabbed as ‘Bounce-Back Candidate’
GettyNick Chubb #21 of the Houston Texans carries the ball against the Carolina Panthers.
Corry selected Chubb among his list of 15 potential “bounceback candidates” entering the 2025 regular season, noting the former Cleveland Browns star was in the “conversation” for the “best” back in the NFL.
“Chubb came back from a devastating 2023 left knee injury with the Cleveland Browns in which he tore his ACL, MCL and meniscus seven weeks into the 2024 season,” Corry wrote on August 29. “He didn’t resemble the player who had been in the best NFL running back conversation prior to getting hurt. Chubb had 332 yards on 102 carries with three touchdowns in eight games for the Browns before a breaking his left foot. His 3.3 yards from carry were well below the 5.3 he had been averaging for his career.”
Being further removed from the injury certainly bodes well for Chubb. Moreover, Chubb believes his injury concerns are behind him, which is certainly good news for the Texans.
“I feel good,” Chubb told Texans beat reporters in June. “I would say that’s all behind me, and injuries happen. And with what I did, [it] takes about two years to really get back. And so, I’m over the hump. I’m back home. I was back home all offseason, training where I trained every year since I was in high school, and I was able to get a full year in of doing the things that I do best. So, now I’m feeling good as I have been in a long time.”
Nick Chubb Called Potential ‘X Factor’ for Texans
GettyNick Chubb #21 of the Houston Texans runs the ball against the Carolina Panthers.
Optimism about Chubb’s potential resurgence has increased amid an impressive training camp and (limited) preseason showing. ESPN’s Benjamin Solak tabbed Chubb as the Texans’ “X factor” amid “too many” options.
Solak noted the offensive line, but added that even if they struggle again in pass protection, they can “win as run blockers.”
Solak also highlighted just how much the Texans leaned on C.J. Stroud and the passing game.
“The Texans need to be able to run opposing defenses out of two-high shells — star quarterback C.J. Stroud saw split safety defenses on 49.4% of his dropbacks last season, a big leap from the 42.8% he enjoyed as a rookie. And to that end, they need Chubb to rediscover something lost,” Solak wrote on August 28.
“The Texans, who were scrambling for RB depth after Joe Mixon’s ankle injury lingered long through the offseason and now into the regular season, took the long shot that Chubb could return to form now two calendar years removed from the major knee injury.”
Joe Mixon’s Injury Looms Large For Nick Chubb, Texans
GettyJoe Mixon #28 of the Houston Texans takes the field before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Chubb rushed for 1,525 yards and 12 touchdowns in 302 carries in 2022. He has 502 yards and 3 touchdowns on 130 carries over the last two seasons.
The Texans need the 2022 version, or something closer to it than Chubb’s 2023 and 2024 self.
“If the Houston line is going to be hot and cold, he needs to make up the difference by maximizing the rushing lanes when he gets them and minimizing losses with elusiveness behind the line of scrimmage,” Solak wrote. “If he can’t, the Texans’ offense becomes one-dimensional.”
The concern for Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans may not be having to rely on Chubb, but more specifically, how long they must do so amid Mixon’s nebulous outlook.
Texans RBs Dameon Pierce, Woody Marks, and others must also help ease Chubb’s burden.
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