Carlos Hyde is hungry.
The 29-year-old running back has essentially been given up on at this point in his career. In 2018, the San Francisco 49ers let him walk after four years of service as a 2014 second-round pick from Ohio State. That same season, the Cleveland Browns traded him midseason to the Jacksonville Jaguars to give rookie Nick Chubb more playing time. And Hyde was only in Jacksonville because their anemic run game was getting worse with the loss of Leonard Fournette.
Jacksonville didn’t want him in the offseason. Kansas City signed him as they tried to cobble together answers for their run game that no longer had Kareem Hunt. Then, the Chiefs traded him to the Houston Texans for offensive guard Martinas Rankin.
Being on his fourth time in just one calendar year has made Hyde hungry, angry, and grown a big chip on his shoulder.
“I’m out there on a mission,” Hyde told reporters after the Texans’ 13-12 win over the Jaguars Sunday at NRG Stadium. “I’ve got a chip on my shoulder coming in this year. So I’m running angry, running mad, and it’s been paying off for me.”
Through the first two games, Hyde has produced 30 carries for 173 yards and caught one pass for two yards. The 6-0, 229-pound back rushed 20 times for 90 yards against Jacksonville and was a key part of giving the Texans’ offense the illusion of balance.
““I love the run game part of [the offense],” Hyde said. “I’m a running back so you know I love that part of it. Just allowing me to be myself while I’m out there. The run plays that we do call are downhill runs so that falls right into my game so I love the run game.”
The Texans love Hyde, too, who has been a nice answer at running back after starter Lamar Miller tore his ACL in the third preseason game. While Houston will be without their Pro Bowl rusher the entire season, Hyde has filled in adequately.
“That chip growing,” said Hyde. “It’s a heavy chip. Chips are my favorite food, so at the end of the season I’m gonna eat that chip.”
If Hyde is feasting on that chip with the Texans defending their AFC South title and advancing further in the playoffs, then the chip will have to be delicious.
