Veteran running back Nick Chubb announced his retirement from the NFL in a social media post Friday night.
"Today's the day I've been avoiding for a while. Twelve year old me could never imagine this day, and 30 year old me is wondering where all the time has gone," Chubb wrote on Instagram. "I've known for some time now, but I'm finally ready to share that I'm done playing football. I wanted to end my career on a healthy note, along with a winning season, and I was able to do that."
Chubb, 30, started last season as the Houston Texans' lead back, but as the weeks progressed, fourth-round rookie Woody Marks surpassed him.
Chubb averaged 33.7 rushing yards in 15 games and finished the year with three touchdowns. He had 506 rushing yards, his most in a season since 2022 with the Cleveland Browns, who picked him in the second round of the 2018 draft out of Georgia.
He suffered a major left knee injury in 2023 that sidelined him for the final 15 games of that season and the first six games of the 2024 season. Chubb previously tore multiple ligaments in the same knee during his sophomore season at Georgia.
"The only thing I could control after hurting my knee twice was getting back up, getting back to work, and getting back on the field," Chubb wrote in his post. "And I was able to do that both times."
Before the knee injury, Chubb was one of the most productive backs in the NFL. A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Chubb rushed for more than 1,000 yards in four straight seasons starting in 2019, including a career-high 1,525 in 2022.
In eight seasons, Chubb rushed for 7,349 yards and 54 touchdowns.
"I say this to all my brothers still on the field, still in the heat of it: There's a life waiting for you after football, too. And health is the real wealth," Chubb said. "I end my career in a great place. Even though there are some things I wish had happened differently, I can say that I have no regrets."
ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime contributed to this report.
