Nick Chubb poised for historic season with Texans despite injury setbacks:
The Houston Texans have navigated the waters of mediocrity in their rushing offense over the past two seasons. However, with the introduction of new offensive coordinator Nick Caley, there was cautious optimism that Houston could cultivate a more dynamic and consistent ground game. This would ideally complement a passing offense that is expected to lean heavily on quarterback C.J. Stroud. Yet, an offseason injury to running back Joe Mixon has raised questions about the Texans’ ground game effectiveness.
What sets the Texans apart from many teams is the presence of a former four-time Pro Bowler in their backfield. Nick Chubb, who signed with Houston earlier this summer, was initially brought in to serve as a change-of-pace back behind Mixon. However, with Mixon sidelined for the remainder of the preseason, the soon-to-be 30-year-old Chubb stands to shoulder a much larger workload than anticipated. This scenario opens the door for Chubb to embark on a potentially historic season.
The NFL has seen 629 instances of running backs rushing for 1,000 or more yards since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970. Remarkably, only 49 of those instances have been achieved by players aged 30 or older, which translates to a mere eight percent of those 1,000-yard seasons. Yet, last season, Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry made his mark by joining this elite group, and Chubb is determined to follow suit. “I’m different, and I feel good as I have been,” he stated, emphasizing that he belongs in the conversation with the league’s elite.
Navigating Injury Concerns
Chubb will reach the age of 30 in December, but the narrative surrounding his future may hinge less on his age and more on his history with injuries. At one point, it seemed plausible that Chubb could be on a trajectory toward the Hall of Fame, based on the statistics from his first five NFL seasons. According to StatMuse, he is among just 14 running backs in history to have rushed for over 6,000 yards and scored at least 45 touchdowns within their first five seasons.
However, significant injuries have cast doubt on his ability to return to his previous form. A serious knee injury in Week 2 of the 2023 season, followed by a broken foot late in the 2024 season, raised concerns about whether he could regain his pre-injury prowess. Chubb has already overcome a catastrophic knee injury during his college career, which many believed would limit his potential. Reflecting on what might have been, one can only speculate: had he avoided that injury as a sophomore, he could have become one of the greatest Georgia Bulldogs, rivaling legends like Herschel Walker.
Competition for the Starting Role
As it stands, Chubb is in prime position to be the starter in the opening week if Joe Mixon remains unavailable. However, the role is not guaranteed. Dameon Pierce, who had a breakout rookie season in 2022, is currently listed as the second-string running back and may possess more burst at this stage of his career. Additionally, rookie running back Woody Marks has garnered praise from Chubb himself and could also vie for playing time.
Despite the competition, Chubb has the first opportunity to impress with the starting unit, which could lead him to not just reclaim his standing but potentially etch his name in the record books. Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans noted, “What I hang my hat on with him is that this guy loves football. He’s physical. He plays the right way.” Chubb’s commitment to the game and his ability to gain yards behind his pads may well set the stage for a remarkable season ahead.
