REX BURKHEAD NEWS

Heads to free agency Burkhead caught one of two targets for one yard in a 32-31 victory over the Colts in Week 18.

Impact Burkhead finished the season with zero carries over the final four games. After he toted the ball 14 times in the season opener, the Texans quickly turned to rookie Dameon Pierce (ankle) as the lead back. Burkhead had 26 total rushing attempts for 80 yards while catching a career-high 37 passes on 51 targets for 204 yards and a touchdown. That he was limited to receiving duties following Pierce's season-ending ankle injury should indicate his future with the organization, which will be hiring a new head coach for the third consecutive season. Burkhead, who turns 33 in the offseason, becomes a free agent in March and is unlikely to be back with Houston in 2023.

JANUARY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Targeted five times in loss Burkhead caught three of five targets for 10 yards and did not have a rushing attempt in Sunday's 31-3 loss to the Jaguars in Week 17.

Impact Burkhead maintains a minor presence in the backfield, largely due to his ability has a receiver. He has a career-high 49 targets in 2022, which is not surprising given that Houston often plays from behind. As for rushing, Burkhead hasn't carried the ball in the last three games, as Royce Freeman and Dare Ogunbowale have been the main fill-ins for Dameon Pierce (ankle).

JANUARY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scores on fumble recovery Burkhead caught two of two targets for seven yards and recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown in Saturday's 19-14 win over Tennessee in Week 16.

Impact For the second straight week and fourth time in the last five games, Burkhead did not get a rushing attempt. Since Dameon Pierce's season-ending ankle injury, the Texans have used Dare Ogunbowale and Royce Freeman as the main running backs the last two games. The Texans do, however, value Burkhead as a receiving threat, and he was on the field to recover Davis Mills' fumble in the end zone that tied the game in the first quarter. Burkhead ranks fourth on the team with 33 catches.

DECEMBER 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Used as target only Burkhead did not have a carry and caught two of four targets for 17 yards in Sunday's 30-24 overtime loss to Kansas City.

Impact Burkhead was speculated to be in line for the top job in the backfield with starter Dameon Pierce (ankle) inactive, but he was never handed the ball. Instead, he watched Dare Ogunbowale (27 snaps, eight carries, 14 yards) and elevated practice-teamer Royce Freeman (24 snaps, 11 carries, 51 yards) lead the ground attack, leaving Burkhead with a bleak fantasy outlook even if Pierce misses additional time.

DECEMBER 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

In line for more work Burkhead is poised for a bigger role Sunday versus the Chiefs with Dameon Pierce (ankle) ruled out.

Impact Burkhead and Dare Ogunbowale are the two healthy running backs on the Texans' active roster, while Gerrid Doaks and Royce Freeman are candidates to be elevated from the practice squad for Week 15. Burkhead appears to be the best bet for carries between the tackles and in short-yardage situations, but he's also averaging just 3.1 yards on his 26 rushes and 5.8 yards on his 29 catches through 12 games this season.

DECEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Week 15 Fantasy Sleepers: Rex Burkhead, Chig Okonkwo, Jerick McKinnon among potential breakouts Can you trust under-the-radar players like Rex Burkhead, Chig Okonkwo, and Jerick McKinnon with your season on the line? All three are among...

DECEMBER 14, 2022 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Fantasy Waiver Wire: FAAB advice for Week 15 pickups, free agents RBs like Rex Burkhead and Pierre Strong Jr. will be high on waiver lists, but WRs like Chris Moore and TEs like Chig Okonkwo will also be am...

DECEMBER 13, 2022 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Texans play better but can't finish in loss to Cowboys

The Houston Texans did a lot of good things Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys

DECEMBER 12, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fills in for Pierce Burkhead had two carries for minus-3 yards and caught his lone target for five yards in Sunday's 27-23 loss to the Cowboys in Week 14.

Impact Burkhead played five snaps -- fewer than Dare Ogunbowale and Eno Benjamin -- but he was the back of choice for a key fourth-quarter drive after Dameon Pierce left with an ankle injury. Following a turnover, Houston had the ball at the Dallas four-yard line with a chance to expand its lead to two scores. Burkhead had both of his carries during that series, and Houston failed to put any points on the board. Pierce's injury will be the top issue for the Texans leading up to Sunday's home game against Kansas City. If he can't go, it will be interesting to see if Burkhead is tapped as the lead back, or if the team will turn to Ogunbowale or Benjamin.

DECEMBER 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Clears protocol Burkhead (concussion) isn't listed on the Week 14 injury report ahead of Sunday's matchup with Dallas.

Impact Burkhead upgraded to full practice participation last Friday but nonetheless ended up on the inactive list for this past Sunday's loss to the Browns. His removal from the Week 14 practice report implies that he's cleared the concussion protocol, setting him up to serve as the top backup to lead running back Dameon Pierce this Sunday in Dallas. Burkhead's imprending return will result in Dare Ogunbowale moving back to a special-teams role.

DECEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Allen's terrible performance dooms Texans in loss to Browns

It’s unclear what would get Houston’s embarrassing passing game going

DECEMBER 5, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Watson rusty in return but Browns get 27-14 win over Texans

Deshaun Watson struggled in a sloppy performance in his first game in 700 days, but a punt return for a touchdown by Donovan Peoples-Jones and two defensive TDs were plenty enough...

DECEMBER 4, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Missing first game of season Burkhead (concussion) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Browns, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Burkhead appeared to be trending toward playing this weekend after he returned to practice Friday as a full participant, but he apparently wasn't able to gain clearance from an independent neurologist, which is the final step for players to exit the NFL's concussion protocol. With Burkhead still stuck in the protocol and thus set to miss his first game of the season, the Texans will turn to Eno Benjamin and Dare Ogunbowale to provide depth behind starter Dameon Pierce.

DECEMBER 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Officially questionable Burkhead (concussion) is questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Browns.

Impact After logging back-to-back DNPs due to a concussion he suffered in the team's Week 12 loss to Miami, Burkhead returned to practice Friday as a full participant. However, the backup running back is still considered questionable for Week 13. If he's unavailable, Dare Ogunbowale and Eno Benjamin, who was recently claimed off waivers, could be in store for increased roles behind Dameon Pierce during Houston's matchup against Cleveland.

DECEMBER 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to practice Friday Burkhead (concussion) is back at practice Friday, Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Burkhead suffered a concussion during the Texans' Week 12 loss to Miami and sat out practice Wednesday and Thursday, but he's back on the field for Friday's session. It's unclear whether the 32-year-old has cleared the concussion protocol, leaving his status for Sunday's matchup with the Browns up in the air.

DECEMBER 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Watson set to make Browns' debut at Texans after suspension

All eyes will be on QB Deshaun Watson, who returns from his 11-game suspension for alleged sexual misconduct to make his Cleveland debut against the Houston Texans, his former team

DECEMBER 1, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sitting out another practice Burkhead (concussion) isn't practicing Thursday, Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Burkhead has opened Week 13 prep with two straight absences from practice and doesn't look to be trending toward being available Sunday against the Browns. if Burkhead is ruled out for Houston's matchup with Cleveland following Friday's practice, Eno Benjamin could be poised to make his Texans debut as the top backup to starting running back Dameon Pierce.

DECEMBER 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Missing practice with concussion Burkhead (concussion) didn't practice Wednesday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Impact Burkhead was forced out of Sunday's loss at Miami in the first half after entering the concussion protocol and is still awaiting clearance from team physicians to return to football activities. Should he need to sit out Week 13 against the Browns, Dare Ogunbowale and Eno Benjamin would be in line for complementary roles behind top back Dameon Pierce.

NOVEMBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

QB switch does nothing to help improve terrible Texans

The Houston Texans benched Davis Mills for Kyle Allen this week with coach Lovie Smith saying the switch gave them their best chance to win against the Miami Dolphins

NOVEMBER 28, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

In concussion protocol Coach Lovie Smith revealed Monday that Burkhead has entered the NFL's five-step concussion protocol, Deepi Sidhu of the Texans' official site reports.

Impact Burkhead exited Sunday's loss to the Dolphins with a head injury, and he may have suffered a concussion. If Burkhead is unable to pass the protocol prior to facing the Browns in Week 13, Dare Ogunbowale and Eno Benjamin will both be candidates to fill Burkhead's usual change-of-pace role behind Dameon Pierce.

NOVEMBER 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Being evaluated for head injury Burkhead suffered a head injury during the fourth quarter of Sunday's 30-15 loss to the Dolphins in Week 12. He finished with zero carries and caught one of two targets for five ya...

Impact Burkhead fell awkwardly after being hit in the air while attempting to catch a pass. Houston head coach Lovie Smith confirmed the running back was being evaluated for a concussion. If the injury lingers into Week 13, Dare Ogunbowale and Eno Benjamin will move up the depth chart.

NOVEMBER 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Zero touches in loss Burkhead played a season-low nine snaps and had zero touches in Sunday's 23-10 loss to the Commanders.

Impact Burkhead's been marginalized, and rightly so, by rookie Dameon Pierce, but the veteran had managed at least one touch or target in a game until Week 11. Eno Benjamin, who the Texans claimed off waivers this past week, was inactive, but he could be ready to back up Pierce for Week 12's road game in Miami.

NOVEMBER 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Rex Burkhead player props odds, tips and betting trends for Week 11 | Texans vs. Commanders Check out these betting insights and trends before placing player prop wagers on Rex Burkhead for Sunday’s game, which starts at 1:00 PM ET...

NOVEMBER 20, 2022 • USATODAY.COM

Logs three touches in loss Burkhead had one carry for two yards and caught two of two targets for 28 yards in Sunday's 24-16 loss to the Giants in Week 10.

Impact Burkhead filled his usual role, occasionally filling in for starter Dameon Pierce on passing downs while playing 16 snaps. He was part of one head-scratching call by offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton, who dialed up a shotgun draw for the veteran on third-and-4 near midfield late in the second quarter, which got stuffed. As long Pierce is healthy, Burkhead will see similar usage going forward.

NOVEMBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Head-to-Head: Giants LB Tae Crowder vs. Texans RB Rex Burkhead Super Bowl Champion Shaun O'Hara and Paul Dottino break down the matchup between linebacker Tae Crowder and Texans running back Rex Burkhead...

NOVEMBER 10, 2022 • GIANTS.COM