The Texans have signed four-time Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb to a one-year contract with a maximum value of $5 million that includes incentive clauses, per league sources.
The medical element was critical for Chubb, who suffered a gruesome knee injury two seasons ago when he tore his medial collateral ligament and suffered damage to his anterior cruciate ligament and returned to play last season. The 29-year-old former second-team All-Pro ended last season on injured reserve with a broken foot. He passed his physical with the Texans after arriving Monday morning for his visit, meetings and medical exams.
Texans Pro Bowl running back Joe 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.
The former Cleveland Browns standout is a productive former University of Georgia star who was drafted in the second round in 2018. He 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.
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.
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 the direction of coach DeMeco Ryans.
Aaron Wilson is a contributor to Sports Talk 790.
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