So you're looking for the lowdown on Nick Chubb rushing yards today? Honestly, if you were expecting the vintage 150-yard, two-touchdown bulldozer performance we used to see in Cleveland, you might be a little surprised by how the box score looks right now. It's January 15, 2026, and the NFL landscape has shifted quite a bit for the veteran back.
Chubb and the Houston Texans are currently fresh off a massive 30-6 Wild Card victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers that went down on Monday night. If you’re checking the stats "today," you’re seeing the aftermath of a game where Chubb acted more like a finishing hammer than the primary engine. He finished with 48 rushing yards on 10 carries.
That might seem light. It is light for a guy with his resume. But in the context of how this Texans team is built, those 48 yards actually tell a pretty specific story about where Chubb is at this stage of his career.
Breaking Down Nick Chubb Rushing Yards Today
Let's get into the weeds. Chubb averaged a healthy 4.8 yards per carry against Pittsburgh. That's efficient. It’s the "Nick Chubb" efficiency we’ve known for years. However, the volume just isn't there like it used to be. Most of his production—roughly six of those ten carries—came in the fourth quarter during what coaches call "garbage time."
Basically, the Texans had the game in the bag. They didn't want to risk their young star, Woody Marks, who has effectively taken over the RB1 role in Houston. Marks handled the heavy lifting with 19 carries for 112 yards. Chubb came in to salt the game away, punish a tired defense, and keep the clock moving.
👉 See also: Meaning of Grand Slam: Why We Use It for Tennis, Baseball, and Breakfast
It’s a different vibe. You’ve got a legend of the game playing the role of a high-end closer. He didn’t find the end zone, and he wasn't targeted once in the passing game. He just ran hard, took what the defense gave him, and helped secure a trip to the Divisional Round.
The 2025-2026 Season Context
To understand why 48 yards is the number today, you have to look at the whole season. This hasn't been a year of 1,000-yard dominance. Across 15 regular-season games, Chubb put up 506 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. He averaged about 4.1 yards per attempt.
He's 30 now. In running back years, that's getting up there, especially after the catastrophic knee injury he fought back from in 2023. The Texans have been smart with him. They use him in a rotation with Marks and Jawhar Jordan.
- Season High: 61 yards against the Ravens in October.
- Total Carries: 122 in the regular season.
- Efficiency: Still hasn't lost a fumble all year.
Why the Role Has Changed in Houston
It’s kinda wild to think about Chubb as a backup, but that’s the reality. When Houston picked him up as a free agent, the goal wasn't for him to carry the ball 25 times a game. They needed a veteran presence and a guy who could get the "tough yards" when Joe Mixon went down with his foot and ankle issues.
✨ Don't miss: NFL Week 5 2025 Point Spreads: What Most People Get Wrong
Woody Marks is the explosive element now. He’s the one hitting the 100-yard marks. Chubb is the security blanket. He’s the guy you trust on 3rd and 2 because his vision hasn't faded even if that elite top-end speed has dipped a notch.
The Steelers game was a perfect example of this hierarchy. While Marks was slicing through the secondary, Chubb was the one leaning on the defensive line late in the game. It’s not flashy for fantasy owners, and it’s certainly not winning anyone a rushing title, but it’s winning playoff games.
Looking Ahead to the New England Matchup
The Texans are scheduled to face the New England Patriots in the Divisional Round on January 18. If you're looking for Nick Chubb rushing yards in that game, don't expect a massive breakout.
The Patriots have a disciplined front. Unless Woody Marks gets banged up or the Texans find themselves in another blowout situation where they want to protect their starters, Chubb is likely slated for another 5 to 10 carries. Projections currently have him pegged for around 22 yards.
🔗 Read more: Bethany Hamilton and the Shark: What Really Happened That Morning
Is he "washed"? No. His PFF rushing grade is still sitting at a respectable 74.6. He’s just a different tool in the shed now. He’s the reliable, veteran back who ensures the offense stays on schedule.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you are tracking Chubb for the rest of the playoffs, here is the reality of the situation:
- Lower the Volume Expectations: Chubb hasn't had more than 10 carries in a game since Week 9. He is firmly the RB2 or even RB3 depending on the week's game plan.
- Watch the Injury Reports: His value only spikes if Woody Marks or Jawhar Jordan are limited. He did have some rib issues earlier in December, but he seems fully healthy now.
- Red Zone Usage: Interestingly, the Texans still trust him in tight spaces. He’s handled nearly 18% of the team's red-zone rushes this year. If you're looking for a touchdown, he's a "maybe," but he isn't the primary goal-line threat he was in Cleveland.
- DFS Strategy: Avoid him in DraftKings or FanDuel lineups unless you are playing a "Showdown" slate and banking on a cheap touchdown. His "yards over expected" stats are still okay, but the opportunity share just isn't there to justify a high price.
Nick Chubb is still a force of nature, just a more contained one. He’s gone from being the whole storm to the steady rain that ends the day. For Texans fans, that’s exactly what they need to keep this playoff run alive.
For those tracking his career milestones, these 48 yards today bring his career total to 7,397 rushing yards. He’s still climbing the all-time ranks, one tough yard at a time. The next time you check the box score, look past the total yardage and see how many of those yards came when the game was on the line or when the team needed to burn the clock. That’s where the true value of Nick Chubb lives in 2026.
Keep an eye on the official Texans injury report leading up to the Patriots game on Sunday. If the backfield remains healthy, expect Chubb to stay in that 5-8 carry range, providing veteran stability rather than highlight-reel explosive runs.