The Texans want more running backs to carry the ball in 2019.
Houston got a good season from starter Lamar Miller, who averaged 4.6 yard per carry en route to his first Pro Bowl campaign. Backup Alfred Blue picked up 499 yards in 16 games. Second-year pro D'Onta Foreman played in one regular season game and in the playoff loss, carrying a combined eight times. They were the only three running backs on the roster who had rushing attempts last fall.
General manager Brian Gaine said he'd like for that to change this year.
"Ideally, we'd love to have a committee backfield and have contributions from various players," Gaine said during a Thursday press conference at the Combine. "But Lamar was a three-down back last year and we're optimistic that Foreman will return to full health."
Blue's a free agent, and the other two running backs behind Miller and Foreman on the current roster are Josh Ferguson and Buddy Howell. Gaine said the April Draft could be a chance for the Texans to add to the ground game mix.
"We're going to evaluate the draft here coming up," Gaine said.
If Foreman can rebound from the Achilles injury that kept him out of all but two contests last year, Gaine said the the Texans rushing attack would get a proverbial shot in the arm."
"We're optimistic about a very positive return in his contributions," Gaine said. "We saw glimpses of that the previous season. Also impressed us in the passing game, so we're optimistic that those guys will be back and intact."
Miller, Foreman and the Texans begin offseason conditioning April 15 at NRG Stadium.
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Check out shots of current Texans players from previous NFL Combines. (Photos via AP Images)