New Texans RB Nick Chubb ready for rejuvenation to career in Houston

USA Today

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New Texans RB Nick Chubb ready for rejuvenation to career in Houston
When signed to a one-year deal, the Houston Texans knew the risk of bringing in a player like running back Nick Chubb ahead of a pivotal season.
They also know the reward of what a healthy version can bring to their backfield. That certainly outweighed the downside when deciding on whether $2.5 million needed to be given to a player who could get Houston over the hump.
When healthy, Chubb can be a 1,000-yard, downhill runner with no end in sight. At 50%, he's a useful third-down option. While the Texans can't expect Chubb to regain his Cleveland Browns' potential, they expect him to be a solid secondary option behind Pro Bowler Joe Mixon.
Yes, barring an injury, Mixon will remain the starter, but the potential tandem of two former AFC North standouts working together has many in the Texans' organization ready to see it in action.
'We all know the caliber of player that Nick can be when he's healthy and when he's at the top of his game,' coach DeMeco Ryans said Tuesday. 'He's a dynamic player. He's a game changer. So, we're just easing him in. We'll see how far he gets.'
Injuries have derailed the once Hall of Fame-caliber career to close out his time with the Browns. In Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023, Chubb suffered a season-ending knee injury that cost him the first six games of 2024. When returning, he was still dealing with the lingering after-effects, leading to him finishing with 332 yards and three touchdowns.
He averaged just 3.3 yards per carry last fall, leading to Cleveland gaining the No. 2 overall pick.
'We understand its history,' Ryans said of Chubb. 'But, we don't dwell on that. We're giving him an opportunity. We'll see how it turns out for us here in Houston.'
In his first meeting with the Texans, Chubb admitted that he wasn't near full strength last season and could feel the limitations in game. That's now a thing of the past as he begins the next chapter of his career in Houston.
'Injuries happen,' Chubb said Wednesday. 'With the injury I had, it takes about two years to get back. So I'm over the hump. I was able to get a full year in, of doing the things I do best. Now I'm feeling good as I have been in a long time."
Even if the Texans get a fraction of the All-Pro runner, they'll be in good shape next fall. After Mixon missed several games due to injury, Houston's offense became a pedestrian one-dimensional unit that couldn't find a spark on the ground.
That won't happen in 2025 now with Chubb on the roster, who's excited to reignite his career under new offensive coordinator Nick Caley.
"He knows what he's doing. He knows his stuff," Chubb said of Caley. "We talked about the run schemes, things like that, what his plans are. I mean, I'm impressed. I'm happy. And I'm excited.'
The Texans return for the start of training camp late next month.