The Texans need Mixon back healthy to reach their regular and postseason goals. However, the Texans can be confident that, so long as he is healthy, Chubb will be able to deliver the kind of running game they need to complement the passing game and take pressure off the defense.
Texans RB Nick Chubb Receives Strong Endorsement After Preseason Finale
Posted August 26, 2025
The Houston Texans did not plan on having to lean on four-time Pro Bowler and veteran running back Nick Chubb, but they may have to. Fortunately for the Texans, Chubb has made a good early impression.
Chubb signed with the Texans in free agency this offseason and was expected to spell starter and fellow Pro Bowler Joe Mixon.
With Mixon out, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans has liked what he’s seen from Chubb.
Chubb, who turns 30 in December, has rushed for 6,843 yards and 50 touchdowns in his seven-year career.
The Texans signed Chubb to a one-year, $2.5 million contract in free agency. He could quickly outplay that if Mixon remains sidelined as is expected, leaving the Texans to rely on Chubb, who has an extensive injury history of his own.
DeMeco Ryans Praises Nick Chubb Amid Texans’ Injury Woes
Ryans met with local media virtually on Monday and expressed his faith in and satisfaction with what he has seen from Chubb since the veteran’s arrival.
Ryans called Chubb a “true pro.”
“He looks better and better each week,” Ryans told “Kickin’ it With Kunkel”‘s Will Kunkel on August 25. “Especially when we got the pads on, he has the explosion and speed to make plays in this league. I am very impressed with Chubb.”
Notably, Chubb has spoken candidly about his injury history and expressed faith that those concerns are behind him
“I feel good,” Chubb told reporters on June 11. “I would say that’s all behind me, and injuries happen. 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, and I was able to get a full year in of doing the things that I do best. So, now I’m feeling good as I have been in a long time.”
Working in Chubb and the Texans’ favor, the former Cleveland Browns star started all 17 regular-season contests as recently as 2022. Ryans’ comments loom large with the uncertainty around Mixon, but it is an opportunity for other Texans RBs to step up.
Young Texans RB Poised to Benefit From Joe Mixon Injury
Mixon’s injury undoubtedly means more work for Texans youngsters Dameon Pierce and, even more, rookie fourth-round draft pick Woody Marks behind Chubb.
Marks, the No. 116 overall pick of the 2025 draft, was the Texans’ second-leading rusher in the preseason behind reserve Jawhar Jordan, with 63 yards and 1 touchdown on 16 carries in 17 snaps, per Pro Football Focus.
That 3.9 yards per carry clip is not exciting.
It still ranked second behind Chubb, who averaged 5.0 YPC, carrying the ball five times for 25 yards. Pierce had 17 yards on 7 totes in seven snaps.
