The Texans officially announced the signing of RB Nick Chubb on Monday, as the former Browns four-time Pro Bowler passed his physical to join the team. Chubb was one of the top names still remaining in free agency.
The addition of Chubb gives the Texans a one-two punch out of the backfield, with RB Joe Mixon still expected to lead it. Chubb suffered a season-ending knee injury in 2023 before returning in the middle of the 2024 season, as he broke his foot after eight games where he averaged just 3.3 yards per carry.
Chubb’s contract with the Texans is a one-year deal, as he has much to prove in his age 29 season coming off two season-ending injuries.
Let’s break down what the Chubb signing means for the Browns, if he’s fully healthy, and how it may affect Joe Mixon’s 2025 fantasy football outlook for NFLSZN on PrizePicks.
Will Nick Chubb Play in Week 1?
Nick Chubb is healthy heading into the season and has been cleared to play for the Texans in the 2025 season. He will be joining the team at mandatory minicamp this week to train with the team.
Chubb is fully recovered from a devastating 2023 season-ending knee injury — a torn ACL, MCL, and injured meniscus and medial capsule, which required extensive surgery. In 2024, he broke his foot, but has recovered since.
Chubb’s injury status and how effective and explosive he will be is a huge question mark. Before his injury in 2024, he had never averaged less than 5.0 yards per carry in a full season. In eight games in 202, he averaged 3.3 yards per carry, with zero carries over 20+ yards.
How Will the Texans Use Nick Chubb?
Chubb is expected to slot into the RB2 role for the Texans, behind Mixon. Chubb is considered a bruising-back that succeeds best in short-yardage situations, and he should be used in that role for the Texans this season.
In 2024, Joe Mixon led the team in carries inside the five-yard line with 12, converting six into touchdowns. He may concede some of those to Chubb, but it’s unlikely that Chubb will eat into them to any large extent.
After the Texans battled injuries for most of last season, including one to Mixon that cost him three games, it’s likely a move to solidify a back-up plan if needed.
Joe Mixon Fantasy Football Projections & Outlook
Joe Mixon’s fantasy football projections for 2025 didn’t change after the Chubb signing, signaling that Chubb — as of now — is only expected to play a reserve role. Chubb’s role may be similar to that of Dameon Pierce (40 carries, 293 yards) in the 2024 season, though he could be relied on a bit more in short-yardage spots specifically.
On PrizePicks NFLSZN — a season-long fantasy game, Mixon is currently projected for 949.5 rushing yards, 9.5 rushing TDs, and 1.5 receiving TDs. Last season despite missing three games, Mixon rushed for 1,016 yards, 11 TDs, and had one receiving TD.
Mixon’s ADP in fantasy football drafts is 44.5 as the RB17, according to FantasyPros.
You can pick More or Less on Mixon’s projected fantasy football stats and more NFL players on the NFLSZN board to win real money on PrizePicks.
