What pleased Texans RB Nick Chubb about return to action after latest injury

The Cleveland Browns let running back Nick Chubb reach free agency in March after he went down with a broken foot in December 2024. 

Chubb ultimately accepted a one-year deal to join the Houston Texans, and he made his unofficial Houston debut when he rushed for 25 yards on five carries in the club's 20-3 win over the Carolina Panthers. Following the victory, Chubb reflected on his return to in-game action coming off his latest physical setback.

"I thought it went good," Chubb said, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston. "I think as a whole, the whole team played well. Offensively, the big guys up front did a good job getting push, opening up holes. For me, I haven’t played since December, so a lot of anxiety, a lot a nerves, but it felt good to go out and get tackled again."

Chubb earned four Pro Bowl nods during his Cleveland tenure that ran from 2018 through last season. However, some understandably have assumed he'll never fully reclaim his best form coming off the torn ACL, torn MCL, torn meniscus and torn medial capsule that he suffered in September 2023. He returned to the Browns lineup last October but rushed for a career-low 3.3 yards per carry over eight games. 

Per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN), Chubb didn’t play in Houston's preseason opener against the Minnesota Vikings on Aug. 9 after he took a shot to the head during a practice.

"Chubb did a really nice job playing physical, running behind his pads," Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said about how the 29-year-old looked against Carolina. "...We were able to run the football. Again, Chubb did a really nice job playing physical, running behind his pads. I just like the way the whole team played a physical brand of football, the type of football I expect us to play, and I’m really proud of the guys for that."

The Texans clearly hope that new offensive coordinator Nick Caley will help quarterback C.J. Stroud bounce back from an up-and-down second pro season. Caley and Co. may need Chubb to be a big part of that process when Houston opens the upcoming campaign with a matchup at the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 7, as Houston RB1 Joe Mixon has been dealing with an ankle injury. 

According to Wilson, "Mixon is not considered a lock to be ready for" the Rams game.

"I think [Caley] does a great job of calling the plays," Chubb added. "...I talk to Nick all the time. He understands that running the ball opens up everything. He’s a young coach, and it’s impressive that he understands how important it is to be physical up front before anything else." 

As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had Chubb sixth among the betting favorites at +1200 odds to claim the Comeback Player of the Year Award for the 2025 season. It sounds like he could get a real opportunity to begin his potential pursuit of that honor at SoFi Stadium on the first Sunday of September.