Coming off a successful recovery from a knee injury and signed to a new contract with the Houston Texans, running back Nick Chubb is excited to get back on the field. In an interview with Sports Illustrated he shared, "I feel good, and it's been great to come out here and play some more football. It's been a while for me, but I love it out here and it's been great getting back."
Due to some injuries to Houston’s running back room, Chubb currently is No. 1 running back on their depth chart. However, head coach Demeco Ryans seems to think Chubb's age may lower his production and effectiveness. "When it comes to Chubb, and how am I comparing him? You know, guys age. He’s been through a lot. It’s not always gonna be the same as his early years in the NFL."
Downplaying Nick Chubb's ability is a massive mistake.
After Chubb suffered a similar knee injury in 2015 while playing for Georgia, he came back for back-to-back seasons of rushing for at least 1,130 yards, adding 23 rushing touchdowns, and averaging 5.5 yards per carry. Chubb is known for an intense work ethic, forged in his growing up years in Chubbtown, GA. One example of that is when Chubb used to run sprints with truck tires tied to his waist.
Underestimating Chubb may be shortsighted by Coach Ryans, but Chubb is coming to full form in training camp practice with the Texans. Speaking of running against the first-team defense in practice Chubb added, "Every time I try to get a quick 10-yard burst after the play is done, just to help get in better shape." Do other players returning from injury do that kind extra effort? Would a newly signed player add the 110 percent that Chubb is? It's doubtful.
But it's par for the course for Chubb, who power cleaned nearly 400 pounds in the offseason during his Georgia days. That work ethic is still part of who he is. Doubt Chubb all you want, but he'll likely prove you wrong.