Nick Chubb Could Emerge as Houston’s RB1: Injuries Open the Door, Brian Robinson Rumors Swirl

The Houston Texans’ backfield is suddenly one of the most intriguing fantasy football storylines heading into the 2025 season. With injuries piling up at running back, veteran Nick Chubb may be positioned to take over as the RB1 in Houston—and fantasy managers need to take notice.

Houston’s Backfield Takes a Hit

The Texans entered training camp with high hopes for a balanced rushing attack, but injuries have shifted the outlook. Key depth pieces have already gone down, leaving the coaching staff scrambling to rework their rotation.

This turbulence has opened the door for Nick Chubb, who joined the Texans this offseason after his long tenure in Cleveland. Chubb, one of the league’s most consistent and respected runners when healthy, now finds himself in position to claim a leading role.

Nick Chubb’s Opportunity

At age 29, Chubb is coming off a season shortened by injury, but he’s proven time and again that when given volume, he delivers elite production. Houston doesn’t need Chubb to be a workhorse for 17 games—they need him to stabilize a unit in flux.

If Chubb can stay healthy and carve out 12–15 carries per game, paired with his trademark efficiency and vision, he could realistically emerge as the No. 1 option in Houston’s offense. Behind C.J. Stroud and a strong passing game, Chubb may even find softer boxes to run against than he did in Cleveland.

Brian Robinson on the Radar

Adding to the speculation, reports suggest that Houston has interest in signing former Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. Robinson is a tough, physical runner who could complement Chubb, or even push him for carries if signed.

While nothing is official yet, Robinson’s arrival would signal that the Texans are looking to solidify their depth and protect themselves against further injuries.

Fantasy Football Outlook

For fantasy players, the Texans’ RB room is one to monitor closely. Right now, Chubb looks like the clear leader for early-down work and goal-line opportunities—valuable traits in both DFS and season-long leagues.

If Robinson signs, the situation could evolve into a 1-2 punch, with Chubb holding the more explosive upside while Robinson handles short-yardage and grind-it-out plays.

Either way, Houston’s running back picture is shaping up to be one of the most fantasy-relevant developments of the preseason.

✅ Bottom Line: Nick Chubb could very well be the RB1 in Houston this year, but the team’s interest in Brian Robinson means fantasy managers should be prepared for a potential committee approach.