HOUSTON – Before Nick Chubb got the football, he was indoctrinated into the special handshake fraternity led by quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Stroud welcomed the Texans’ new veteran running with an elaborate greeting punctuated by a flex.
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And Chubb followed that welcome by taking the handoff from Stroud and scooted into the open field.
After a rough past two seasons with injuries, Chubb has regained his health and is relaunching his career with the defending AFC South champions. Signed to a one-year, $2.5 million contract with a maximum value of $5 million, the four-time Pro Bowl selection endured a torn medial collateral ligament and damaged anterior cruciate ligament two seasons ago. Last year, his comeback season was cut short by a broken foot.
Now, Chubb is determined to put those health issues behind him and be a vital part of a formidable tandem with Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon.
“I would say that’s all behind me and, you know, injuries happen,” Chubb said Wednesday as the Texans wrapped up a full-team minicamp. “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. I was able to get a full year in of doing the things that I do best. And so now I’m feeling good as I have been in a long time.”
The true litmus test for Chubb, the Cleveland Browns’ third all-time leading rusher behind Hall of Fame runners Jim Brown and Leroy Kelly, will come in a game situation.
For now, Chubb is looking recovered, rejuvenated and extremely fit. The former University of Georgia star football player and high school track standout even regained his old stopwatch speed and weightlifting standards that includes squatting over 500 pounds.
“Nick Chubb, that’s a legend,” All-Pro corner Derek Stingley Jr. said. “I think it’s pretty cool.”
The presence of Chubb follows a quick courtship. Chubb’s agent, Todd France of Athletes First, got the call Saturday. By Sunday, Chubb was on a commercial flight from Atlanta to Houston. By Monday morning, he was on a visit at NRG Stadium and took a physical. His incentive-laden contract was finalized Monday afternoon.
“It happened really fast,” Chubb said. “I’m happy to be here.”
The Texans are feeling great about his arrival.
“We’re excited to add Nick Chubb to our team,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He’s just a tremendous worker. Humble kid, doesn’t say much, but he’s a grinder, a worker. The one thing that sticks out about him, he’s been through a lot with the injuries and things that’s happened to him. So, just to see the resilience, to see him battle back, work in the right way to put himself in position to have another opportunity here in Houston, I couldn’t be more excited to add him to our team and see what value he can provide to us.
“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. He’s a dynamic player. He’s a game-changer. So, we’re just easing him in. We’ll see how far he gets. We’ll come back for training camp ready to go.”
Mixon hasn’t been practicing. He is out of a walking boot, per league sources, but is still dealing with foot-ankle issues. Mixon, acquired in a trade last year from the Cincinnati Bengals and playing under a three-year, $27 million extension, rushed for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. He is expected to be ready for training camp.
Mixon’s primary backup has been another injured player in Dameon Pierce, a former starter and Pro Bowl alternate. The Texans drafted former USC and Mississippi State running back Woody Marks in the fourth round.
Drafted in the second round in 2018, Chubb rushed for 332 yards on 102 carries last season and scored three touchdowns as he averaged 3.1 yards per carry while getting back to full health.
“With Nick and the injury history, we understand its history, but we don’t dwell on that,” Ryans said. “We’re giving him an opportunity. We’ll see how it turns out for us here in Houston. One thing I can say, from a guy who’s come back from injury, it is about the work you put in. You’re really not the same a few months out after injury.
“I think when you take the time to recover and you can truly work out and put the work in and dedicate to your craft on playing the position really well, that’s what helps you to have a good year that following year. I think Nick has put himself in position to do that.”
Chubb, who signed a three-year, $36 million extension in 2021, had his contract restructured last year as he lowered his salary-cap figure from $15.85 million to $6.275 million.
Chubb, when healthy, combines power and speed at 5-foot-11, 227 pounds. He has rushed for 6,843 career yards and 51 touchdowns. Chubb rushed for a career-high 1,525 yards and a dozen touchdowns in 2022 before getting hurt in 2023 two games into the season.
“He’s a tough runner, hard runner,” defensive end Danielle Hunter said. “The ability that he’s able to bring for his team, running through guys and making plays, that’s a plus for the team. We could always use something like that.”
For years, Chubb and Mixon were rivals in the AFC North division. Now, they’re teaming up in the AFC South.
“I was always afraid he would take over the game with his ability. He runs super hard. I think both of us have the same intangibles. It’ll be tough for defense to stop.
“I think we’ll be great together. He’s a bigger guy, tall, explosive. He runs super hard, and I do the same thing. So, I think it’ll be us kind of doing that back-to-back against other defenses.”
Chubb also drew interest from the New Orleans Saints. Chubb, though, wanted to be a part of a playoff contender. The Texans have won the past two AFC South division titles under Ryans’ direction.
“He’s a young coach, a lot of energy, a lot of intensity,” Chubb said. “He’s young, fresh. He wants to win. I was questioning why they wanted me. And then I came here, and I saw a bunch of guys who like to work and not talk. And I realized I’m a perfect fit. So, I realized why they wanted me here.”
The handshakes. The fun. The running style.
It all resonates with Stroud.
“He’s a great player,” Stroud said. “I met him today for the first time and I told him, man, I’ve been respecting his game since he was in college. I think he’s a great back, and I think he’ll do some great things for us. I’m excited to have him as a teammate.
“I actually didn’t recognize him when I walked in. He’s very quiet, so I was like, ‘dang, what’s up, Nick?’ I kind of got nervous because he’s been a baller since I’ve been a kid. So, I’m very excited to have him.”
PRACTICE UPDATE
Several players remained sidelined as the Texans wrapped up their final offseason practice before training camp.
Rookie wide receiver Jaylin Noel ran on the side with trainers along with tight end Brevin Jordan, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament last September, wide receiver Braxton Berrios, who suffered the same injury last season, linebacker Henry To’oTo’o, linebacker Christian Harris (calf strain) and defensive end Denico Autry (knee) and offensive tackle Trent Brown (knee).
Not at practice; running back Joe Mixon, who is out of a walking boot, per sources, and now wearing a protective ankle brace. He is tracking toward being ready for training camp. Backup running back Dameon Pierce is also sidelined, as are safety Jimmie Ward (foot surgery) and wide receiver Tank Dell (knee surgeries).
CAPTAIN KIRK
Wide receiver Christian Kirk excelled, connecting with C.J. Stroud for several long gains.
Kirk beat rookie cornerback Jaylin Smith for a first down and more during a full-team drill.
Wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson caught a touchdown pass from Stroud.
OFFENSIVE LINE UPDATE
The Texans’ offensive line, comprised primarily of Cam Robinson at left tackle, Laken Tomlinson at left guard, Jake Andrews at center, Tytus Howard at right guard and Blake Fisher at right tackle, had a better performance Wednesday after struggling mightily Tuesday.
QUICK HITS
Free safety Calen Bullock broke up a sideline pass intended for Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins.
Reserve quarterback Kedon Slovis had some wild throws, including one that nearly hit a laptop computer on the sideline.
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com
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