2018 Texans review: Running backs
Aaron Wilson , Houston Chronicle Jan. 12, 2019 Updated: Jan. 12, 2019 11:10 a.m.
Fifth in a series
Stonewalled at every turn, the Texans’ running game pulled off a disappearing act late in the season that overshadowed an extremely strong start.
It got ugly and one-dimensional starting in December during a loss to the Indianapolis Colts that snapped a nine-game winning streak. Quarterback Deshaun Watson became the primary running threat in the final six games capped by a wild-card playoff game loss to the Colts.
The offensive line and tight ends had substandard run blocking after the Texans averaged 140 rushing yards during the first dozen games. There was no real explanation why other than not picking up blitzing safeties and not adapting to a crowded line of scrimmage. And the backs were incapable of breaking tackles or making defenders miss.
All of the above facts doesn’t mean that veteran running back Lamar Miller isn’t a capable runner, though. Miller was named to his first Pro Bowl.
Losing weight and getting more explosive in the offseason was the goal. And Miller delivered, rushing for 973 yards and five touchdowns and caught 25 passes for 163 yards and a score despite missing two games. He rushed for over 100 yards four times to tie a single-season career-high.
He had a 97 yard touchdown run in a win over the Tennessee Titans, the longest run in franchise history.
“Look, I think Lamar ran hard and I think we did a pretty good job of managing Lamar’s reps,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “We gave him a couple games off when he was injured. He was injured, he had ribs and ankle. We’ve used him a lot in the years that he’s been here. He’s a great pro. I love Lamar. I thought he had a really solid year.”
A year ago, former University of Texas star D'Onta Foreman suffered a serious injury when he ruptured his Achilles tendon while scoring a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals.
It wound up taking the Texas City native over a year to play in a game again as he returned against the Philadelphia Eagles and caught a touchdown pass while also rushing for minus-one yards on seven carries.
The long recovery was frustrating for the Texans and Foreman and prevented him from making an impact this season.
O'Brien expressed confidence that the former consensus All-American and Doak Walker award winner still has a bright future heading into his third NFL season.
"Look, D’Onta Foreman’s obviously a very talented guy, but
it took him forever to come back from his injury," O'Brien said. "So, hopefully with a good offseason, here’s a guy that can really, really be an excellent player in this league. I have a lot of belief in his ability, in D’Onta Foreman’s ability.
"I know he’s from right down here and he wants to be a Houston Texan and he wants to play well. I think he’s somebody that can help us."
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