The NFL offseason just gave us another fantasy football wrinkle: Former Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb is signing a one-year contract with the Houston Texans pending a physical, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said.

It's a fresh start for the four-time Pro Bowler, who is the newest member of a Texans running back group already consisting of Joe Mixon, Dameon Pierce, and rookie Woody Marks. To fantasy gamers, Chubb's transfer to Houston poses questions of interest regarding his function, possible production, and worth in 2025 drafts. Let's dig in.

 

Nick Chubb Injury History

Chubb's latest injury background is something fantasy gamers should mind. The 29-year-old running back has had injury issues in the last two years, playing a total of 10 games. During Week 2 of the 2023 season, Chubb had a devastating knee injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers when his MCL was torn, his ACL was injured, meniscus and medial capsule were injured. 

It kept him out of all but two games in 2023 and out until Week 7 of the 2024 season.
When he returned in 2024, Chubb had glimpses of the old man but was far from nearly as dominant as he used to be. He played eight games, for 332 yards on 102 carries (3.3 ypc) and three touchdowns before suffering a broken foot that ended his season in Week 14. 

Despite Chubb's recent workout videos, such as squatting more than 500 pounds, indicating recovery, his injury history raises concerns regarding his explosiveness and longevity in the future.

For fantasy, his health will be the decider. The Texans hiring him to an incentive-laden contract indicates they're looking for the return of old self but don't want to burden him with his workload right away. Managers can monitor his physical check-ins and Houston's June 10-11, 2025, mandatory minicamp for clues if he's available.

 

Nick Chubb Stats

Healthy, Chubb has been among the NFL's top running backs. In 2019 and 2022, he had four straight seasons with 1,000 or more rushing yards, being named to the Pro Bowl each time and second-team All-Pro in 2022. In that campaign, his career high came on 1,525 rushing yards and 12 scores on 302 attempts with 5.0 yards per carry. He also contributed 27 receptions for 239 yards and a touchdown, showing himself to be a dual-threat back.

Chubb's career statistics prove his toughness and physicality:

  • 2018 (Rookie): 996 yards, 8 TDs, 5.2 YPC
  • 2019: 1,494 yards, 8 TDs, 5.0 YPC
  • 2020: 1,067 yards, 12 TDs, 5.6 YPC
  • 2021: 1,259 yards, 8 TDs, 5.5 YPC
  • 2022: 1,525 yards, 12 TDs, 5.0 YPC
  • 2023-2024 (Injury-Plagued): 502 yards, 3 TDs, 3.7 YPC (10 games total)

His 2024 season was a career low, with 3.3 YPC mark suffering the after-effects of his knee injury and a discombobulated Browns O-line, on which he lead-blocked behind the line on 49% of his carries. But the improved overall offense, led by quarterback C.J. Stroud and new OC Nick Caley, might be a better place to witness Chubb return to his former self.

 

Houston Texans Depth Chart

Texans' backfield is deep, which makes Chubb's fantasy outlook tougher. Below is the current depth chart:

Joe Mixon, with 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2024, is the veteran feature back. Mixon fought through injuries last season, however, and the Texans were light behind him, with Dameon Pierce getting just 293 yards (92 on one carry) and Dare Ogunbowale relegated to work primarily on third downs. Rookie Woody Marks, a fourth-round pick, fills in but needs to specialize in passing-down work.

Chubb will complement Mixon, a physical running back tandem that will be able to pound on opposing defenses. Early prognostications have Chubb getting 1-2 carries per half, giving him 8-12 carries per game, with little receiving work on his part with Mixon taking most of the receiving reps. Chubb's job makes him a between-the-tackles bruiser who will give Mixon short-yardage and red-zone relief, employing his physical running style.

But the whole backfield could limit Chubb's involvement. Dameon Pierce's disappointing season might land him on the trade market, and Marks' usage might decrease if Chubb stays healthy, but fantasy players can anticipate a committee game script.

 

Nick Chubb's Fantasy Football Outlook for 2025

Chubb's fantasy value depends on his health and usage in Houston's offense. If he passes his physical examination and returns to some version of his pre-injury self, he might be a fantasy draft steal. His limited use and injury risk render him a high-risk, high-reward selection.

Chubb will likely be selected between the RB20-RB30 range in 2025 fantasy drafts and is thus a mid-round pick in 12-team leagues. He must be placed next to an established RB1 or RB2 in order to counter the risk of his injury record and sporadic workload. He's the perfect choice for zero-RB formats or as a high-upside bench stash in standard and half-PPR scoring. 

In PPR scoring systems, his restricted usage as a receiver (career-high 36 receptions in 2019) diminishes his worth except when he has unexpected passing-down opportunities.

 

 

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