Nick Chubb has busted through barriers, pushing his body past the pain of two grueling rehabs from injuries.
Chubb endured a painful knee injury two years ago against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a torn medial collateral ligament and sustained damage to his anterior cruciate ligament.
He made a comeback with the Cleveland Browns, where he had established himself as a four-time Pro Bowl selection and the third leading rusher all-time in franchise history behind legends Jim Brown and Leroy Kelly.
Just when he was gaining traction again a year ago, he broke his foot against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Now, the 29-year-old former Georgia star is regaining his footing with the Texans in a pivotal role. He’s the Texans’ new RB1 after signing a one-year, $5 million maximum value in the spring as the primary replacement for injured Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon. His arrival coincided with Mixon being in a protective walking boot in the spring. Mixon is on the non-football injury list with an injury described as “tough and complicated” that has involved nonsurgical procedures away from the team. While he is out for at least the first four weeks under NFL rules, the reality is that Mixon could miss a significantly longer portion of the season.
That means that the Texans will lean heavily on Chubb as the centerpiece of their revamped running game behind an overhauled offensive line with four newcomers starter and Tytus Howard, back to right tackle, the only returning starter from last season.
Chubb declared himself ready to contribute and lead for his team heading into a season-opening road game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium.
“I’m here to do whatever I need to do for this team, for this city,” Chubb said. “Whatever is called of me, I’m excited to go out there and give it my all.”
Chubb has rushed for 6,843 yards and 51 touchdowns, but dipped to a career-low 3.3 average per run last season. Prior to that, he averaged 6.1, 5.0, 5.5, 5.6, 5.0 and 5.2 yards in his previous six NFL seasons. Limited to 10 games over the past two seasons and a combined 502 yards and three touchdowns, Chubb has attacked this new opportunity with enthusiasm. Even as an accomplished runner, the emotions are still there for Chubb.
Chubb got off to a somewhat slow star at training camp as far as not looking as explosive as he did in the past. Some of that may have been attributable to rust. Some of it to learning a new offense and getting acclimated to new surroundings. As the preseason went on, he looked much more comfortable. He rushed for 25 yards on just five runs against the Carolina Panthers and was decisive and powerful and quick.
Now, it’s time for a new season, his eighth in the NFL.
“I definitely get excited, I feel like the nerves are part of it,” Chubb said. “We’ve worked hard all offseason and all throughout camp. Now it’s time to go out there and put it together. There’s definitely nerves, but overall, just excited to be here.”
It was a textbook running play and an encouraging moment for Cbubb as he ran through a big hole opened up by Blake Fisher and Ed Ingram during as 20-3 preseason victory over the Panthers at NRG Stadium.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans was glad to see the progress from a running back with a definite downhill style running behind his shoulder pads.
“Chubb, from the first day he got here until now, I’ve seen him just continue to grow and get better,” Ryans said. “You see him get into football shape, and I see him look better and better each week. Especially once we put the pads on, it’s like, ‘Wow, this is the Chubb that I remember.’ Physical downhill player. You see him popping some runs. He still has the explosion, the speed that it takes to make plays in this league. The guy just understands football. Very smart player. Playmaker.
“When you need him to make plays, he’s going to make those plays. He’s going to keep churning out yards, so I’m very impressed with Chubb. I was impressed with him from afar but being able to see him up close and personal, see how he works. This guy, he’s in the weight room, he has his routine down. Just a true pro and I think our guys, our younger guys, can see that and learn a lot from Chubb, who’s dealt with a lot. But, he’s handled himself like one of the best in the business. That’s what I expected we would get.”
During training camp, Chubb got used to the oppressive Texas heat. Eventually, he started to get into a groove.
“It was pretty hard here,” Chubb said. “Very physical, very hot, but we’ve had a couple of days off over the weekend and feeling good going into it.”
The collaboration with new offensive coordinator Nick Caley, the first-year play-caller who was previously the Rams’ tight ends coach and passing game coordinator has been a strong fit with Chubb.
“He’s just very smart,” Chubb said of Caley. “He knows how to maneuver things, how motions affect defenses, how things look against other defenses. We use all the advantages we have. He’s very smart and I’m excited to play for him.”
Playing against the Rams represents a difficult challenge. The Rams’ front seven is headlined by Jared Verse, an edge named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year last season, Braden Fiske, Kobie Turner and Byron Young.
“Very fast, physical team, play extremely hard, play together, so it’ll be a challenge for us,” Chubb said. “We’re going to go out there and play our ball. No matter what’s called, we’re gonna do it and execute it.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com