Texans

Nick Chubb opened the season as the Texans’ starting running back following Joe Mixon‘s injury. Chubb was ready for whatever was asked of him going into Week 1. 

“I’m here to do whatever I need to do for this team, for this city,” Chubb said, via Aaron Wilson. “Whatever is called of me, I’m excited to go out there and give it my all.”

Chubb said he was excited ahead of the season-opener. 

“I definitely get excited, I feel like the nerves are part of it,” Chubb said. “We’ve worked hard all offseason and all throughout camp. Now it’s time to go out there and put it together. There’s definitely nerves, but overall, just excited to be here.”

Texans HC DeMeco Ryans said Chubb has continuously improved since he arrived and considers him to be a “playmaker.” 

“Chubb, from the first day he got here until now, I’ve seen him just continue to grow and get better,” Ryans said. “You see him get into football shape, and I see him look better and better each week. Especially once we put the pads on, it’s like, ‘Wow, this is the Chubb that I remember.’ Physical downhill player. You see him popping some runs. He still has the explosion, the speed that it takes to make plays in this league. The guy just understands football. Very smart player. Playmaker.”

Titans

Titans fourth-round WR Chimere Dike is set to be the team’s starting return specialist. Dike was ready for his NFL debut and grateful for the opportunity to return punts and kickoffs. 

“I feel ready,” Dike said, via Jim Wyatt of the team’s site. “The work I put in during training camp, the work I have put in throughout my career, it’s a role that I really enjoy and I am thankful that Coach Bones (ST coordinator John Fassel) and coach (Brian) Callahan had trust in me to put me back there, and I am going to try and prove it every week and take it one game at a time.”

Dike was eager to get on the field in Week 1 against the Broncos. 

“It’s super exciting,” Dike said. “To see the work you’ve put in since spring, obviously growing up playing football this is your dream to play at this level. So, to have the opportunity to play my first NFL game – my parents will be there, some of my family will be there to support me – it is going to be a really special moment.”

Titans

Titans HC Brian Callahan said his goal for rookie QB Cam Ward in Week 1 was to just execute their system and play within his capabilities. 

“I think it’s just playing football the way we ask him to play and play within himself,” Callahan said, via the team’s YouTube. “He’s got all the talent in the world to go make the throws we need him to make and the rest of the guys around him have to play well, too. So, we’re counting on everybody to play well together.”

Callahan reiterated that they need Ward to execute their game plan and not overblow the magnitude of Week 1. 

“Again, try not to make it something that it isn’t. Still just a football game. He’s played a lot of football. This is not any different,” Callahan said. “The talent’s different and the environment’s going to be fun. But, you walk on the field there, it’s still 100 yards long and 10 yards end zones, and 53-and-a-third yards wide — it doesn’t really change. So, that approach, I think, helps. We don’t need him to do anything superhuman. Just need him to play good football and need the guys around him to play well for him.”