Houston Texans RB Nick Chubb is trending up for the 2024 season as Joe Mixon's Week 1 status remains uncertain. Get the latest update from Aug. 6, 2025.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The air in Houston is thick with anticipation, but also a bit of uncertainty. While the Texans are gearing up for their preseason debut, the biggest question mark hangs over the running back room. Head Coach DeMeco Ryans offered a dose of optimism on Wednesday regarding Nick Chubb's recovery, a crucial update as Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon's availability for the start of the season remains murky.
The Deshaun Watson trade didn't just net picks; it laid the foundation for a complete franchise turnaround, a masterclass in asset management by Nick Caserio.
All eyes are on the running backs. While Joe Mixon remains the presumed lead back, his health status for Week 1 is becoming a legitimate concern. That's what makes DeMeco Ryans' encouraging update on Nick Chubb so significant. After battling injuries, hearing that Chubb is progressing well is a massive relief for a team with championship aspirations. If Mixon is limited or out to start the season, a healthy Chubb could go from a high-upside rotational piece to the focal point of the ground game overnight. The dynamic between these two star running backs will be one of the most critical storylines to watch throughout the preseason.
While the team fine-tunes the roster, the man who built it is getting some well-deserved national recognition. A media segment on Wednesday spotlighted General Manager Nick Caserio's incredible work in transforming the Texans 'out of a mess.' The praise centered on his masterful handling of the Deshaun Watson trade, which brought in the three first-round picks that became the cornerstone of this new era. From those assets to his savvy draft-day trades and the home-run hire of DeMeco Ryans, Caserio has been the quiet architect behind the team's rapid ascent from laughingstock to legitimate contender.
Caserio's work is never done, as evidenced by another roster move on Wednesday. The Texans signed veteran wide receiver Quintez Cephus, a 27-year-old who last saw regular season action with the Detroit Lions in 2022. With 568 career yards and four touchdowns, Cephus adds another experienced body to an already deep and competitive position group. He'll have to fight for a spot behind established stars Nico Collins and Christian Kirk, and alongside promising rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. To make room, the team waived WR Johnny Johnson with an injury designation. It's a classic training camp move: bring in competition and force everyone to elevate their game.
With questions in the backfield, a celebrated GM at the helm, and fresh competition at receiver, the Texans are anything but boring. Every move feels calculated, every update crucial. Now, the talk gives way to action. All of these storylines will begin to play out on the field this Saturday when Houston travels to Minnesota for their preseason opener against the Vikings. It's our first real look at what this 2025 squad is made of.
