The Houston Texans dropped their second game of the season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on “Monday Night Football,” but running back Nick Chubb provided a silver lining that has earned him an even larger role.
Chubb, 29, rushed for 43 yards and 1 touchdown on 12 carries in the 20-19 Texans loss that gave the Bucs their first win in Houston in franchise history.
However, Chubb’s final line does not tell the whole story.
Nick Chubb Draws Strong Praise From Texans HC DeMeco Ryans
GettyNick Chubb #21 of the Houston Texans celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said last week that he wanted to lean on Chubb after giving the four-time Pro Bowler 13 carries, which went for 60 yards, in the regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Rams.
Chubb ended Week 2 with more carries and fewer yards but has impressed in other ways, too.
“He’s done a really outstanding job in the pass protection, right? He saved us on one of our play-action passes last week versus the Rams to pick up an edge blitzer this week. Just how strong, how stout he is, picking up blitzers. Smart, knowing where to go. We just got to give him more of those opportunities, which I think he can help us a lot when it comes to those protections when they’re bringing second-level defenders,” Ryans said on “Texans All-Access” on September 16.
“Chubb has done the best job at handling those. So, we got to give him more opportunities on passing situations – second and third-down – to put him in those spots more.”
C.J. Stroud has faced protection issues, taking 3 sacks in each of the Texans’ first two games amid injuries and inconsistency from a rebuilt group up front. Chubb posted an image of Batman on Instagram before the game, setting a strong tone that he delivered on.
He also validated the faith that Ryans had placed in him before the game.
Nick Chubb Delivered on Pregame Faith
GettyZyon McCollum #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tackles Nick Chubb #21 of the Houston Texans.
Ryans spoke highly about what he had seen from Chubb since his arrival, praising the former Cleveland Browns star who has taken over RB1 duties with Joe Mixon on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.
Chubb’s performance against the Buccaneers was a tale of two halves, with the veteran tallying 5 yards on four first-half carries. He posted an 8-38-1 line after the break.
Moreover, his 12th carry was particularly relevant to Ryans’ comments.
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“I think Chubb ran the ball really well. We tried to mix it up with the backs. Got Woody [Marks] some touches, Dameon [Pierce]. We’re going to try to lean in with Chubb a little bit more. I think he deserves it. He’s shown that. He continued to get better as the game went on. You saw him running stronger, finishing plays in a physical manner,” Ryans said on “Texans All-Access” on September 9.
“We got to get him going a little bit more, right? And I think he can he can really help us.”
Woody Marks to Benefit From Increased Run Game Focus
GettyWoody Marks #27 of the Houston Texans reacts while playing against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Ryans’ comments drew attention, and they could spell bad news for veteran third-down back Dare Ogubowale. But they could bode well for Marks, a rookie fourth-round draft pick, who has rushed six times for 17 yards, but also caught a 37-yard pass on Monday night.
“I really like the combination, what I’m seeing between Woody and Chubb,” Ryans said.
“It’s a really good one-two combination, and I think we have to rely on that a little bit more, right? Getting both guys more opportunities, right?”
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The Texans made Pierce, a 2022 fourth-round pick, a healthy scratch in Week 2, with Chubb and Marks the only backs receiving touches, and they appear on track to follow a similar plan in Week 3 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Texans RB Nick Chubb Gets Good News Before Facing Jaguars in Week 3