Texans hit halfway mark with 1 win in another bad season
With just one win through eight games, the Houston Texans look to be headed for their worst season in yearsNOVEMBER 4, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
REX BURKHEAD
Logs two touches in loss Burkhead had one carry for nine yards and caught one of two targets for six yards in Thursday's 29-17 loss to the Eagles in Week 9.
Impact Burkhead was on the field for 13 snaps and remains involved to a limited extent. As long as rookie Dameon Pierce is healthy, Burkhead will see duty in passing situations but will be limited as a runner. Particularly when Pierce, who ran for 139 yards Thursday, is producing. Following Burkhead's heavy Week 1 workload, the veteran has averaged 17.5 snaps and 1.3 carries over the last seven contests.
NOVEMBER 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
One touch in loss Burkhead caught his lone target for two yards and did not have a carry in Sunday's 17-10 loss to the Titans in Week 8.
Impact Burkhead played a season-low 10 snaps Sunday, although he did see more than Dare Ogunbowale's three after the latter had surprising volume in last week's loss to the Raiders. Burkhead also attempted a pass in the red zone which fell incomplete. His heavy Week 1 involvement, when he played 72 percent of the offensive snaps, has faded as rookie Dameon Pierce has emerged, and Burkhead has played 34 percent of the snaps since.
OCTOBER 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Seven touches in loss Burkhead had two carries for eight yards and caught five of six targets for 11 yards in Sunday's 38-20 loss to the Raiders in Week 7.
Impact Houston's running backs were a big part of the passing attack Sunday, garnering 17 targets. Burkhead and Dare Ogunbowale (seven targets) accounted for most of them. Burkhead is typically on the field late in games if Houston is behind and throwing often; however, head coach Lovie Smith deployed Ogunbowale for the team's final drive. It's unclear if there will be a permanent change in the depth chart or the primary pass-catching role out of the backfield, but the usage comes after Houston's bye week, which suggests this may have been planned.
OCTOBER 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Six targets/touches in win Burkhead had three carries for 15 yards and caught two of three targets for 13 yards in Sunday's 13-6 win over the Jaguars in Week 5.
Impact Burkhead had a season-low 12 snaps (21 percent), as the coaches have become more trusting of lead back Dameon Pierce, who was on the field for the game's decisive drive in the fourth quarter. Burkhead is still around to spell Pierce, but this should be the rookie's team for the rest of the season.
OCTOBER 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Scores TD in loss Burkhead didn't get any rushing attempts, but he caught all five of his targets for 39 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 34-24 loss to the Chargers.
Impact Burkhead contributed in the passing game while rookie tailback Dameon Pierce went for 131 yards and a score on the ground. Although not from 75 yards like Pierce's touchdown, Burkhead hauled in an eight-yard score during the third quarter, marking his first end-zone trip of the campaign. The veteran should remain involved as a complementary target out of the backfield in Week 5 versus the Jaguars.
OCTOBER 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Ekeler scores 3 touchdowns, Chargers hold off Texans 34-24
Justin Herbert threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns and Austin Ekeler scored three times as the Los Angeles Chargers built a big early lead and held on for a 34-24 win over the H...OCTOBER 2, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
WATCH: Texans QB Davis Mills throws touchdown pass to RB Rex Burkhead against the Chargers Houston Texans RB Rex Burkhead caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from QB Davis Mills against the Los Angeles Chargers.
OCTOBER 2, 2022 • USATODAY.COM
Rex Burkhead hosting Top Golf event for pediatric brain cancer | Daily Brew Houston Texans RB Rex Burkhead will be hosting a Top Golf event to raise money for pediatric brain cancer research.
SEPTEMBER 29, 2022 • HOUSTONTEXANS.COM
Remains involved Burkhead carried three times for nine yards and caught four of five targets for 21 yards in Sunday's 23-20 loss to the Bears in Week 3.
Impact While rookie Dameon Pierce is the clear lead back for the Texans, Burkhead remains involved on passing downs and in hurry-up situations. The veteran RB had six touches compared to one for Pierce over the final three drives in the fourth quarter of a tie game. Burkhead was the target on the key play of the game, a Davis Mills interception that set up the Bears in Houston territory for a game-winning field goal.
SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Limited to two catches Sunday Burkhead did not log a carry and secured two of three targets for nine yards in the Texans' 16-9 loss to the Broncos on Sunday.
Impact A week after seeing a total of 22 touches in a tie with the Colts, Burkhead ceded all the ground game work to rookie fourth-round pick Dameon Pierce, who turned 15 carries into 69 yards. Meanwhile, the veteran was limited to a pass-catching role, and a modest one at that. Head coach Lovie Smith recently emphasized his intention to get Pierce more touches and then delivered on that vow Sunday, so it remans to be seen what the extent of Burkhead's involvement will be during a Week 3 road battle against the Bears next Sunday.
SEPTEMBER 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Ryan, Colts rally but stall in OT for 20-20 tie with Texans
Matt Ryan rallied Indianapolis in the fourth quarter to force overtime against the Houston Texans in his Colts debut, but neither team could score on two overtime possessions each...SEPTEMBER 11, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Texans look to Mills to improve team with Watson gone
New Houston coach Lovie Smith wasn’t upset with Davis Mills when the second-year quarterback recently told a reporter that the Texans were going to “shock the world” this seasonAUGUST 23, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Second back in during preseason win Burkhead entered Friday night's 24-20 preseason win over the Rams as the Texans' second running back behind Marlon Mack, rushing twice for five yards, securing all three targets fo...
Impact The versatile veteran saw his fair share of action, but his fumble late in the first half following a four-yard reception set up a Rams field goal. Burkhead rushed for a career-high 427 yards while adding 25 receptions during his 2021 debut campaign in Houston, and there's likely going to be room for him on the final roster thanks to his pass-catching skills and ability to play special teams.
AUGUST 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Unlikely to play Saturday Burkhead isn't slated to play in Saturday's preseason contest against the Saints, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.
Impact Burkhead doesn't have much to prove to the Texans' coaching staff after racking up 613 yards from scrimmage and three rushing touchdowns in 16 games last year. It's unclear if any of his backfield mates will join him on the sideline Saturday, but if not Marlon Mack, rookie fourth-rounder Dameon Pierce, Dare Ogunbowale, Royce Freeman and BJ Emmons are the other healthy options for Houston.
AUGUST 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Shares top spot with Mack Burkhead and Marlon Mack are listed as the top running backs on the unofficial depth chart entering Saturday's preseason opener against the Saints, Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chr...
Impact Mack's name is listed first. When the Texans added the former Colt during the offseason, it was widely presumed Burkhead, who finished last season as Houston's lead back, would be replaced. That still may be the case, but perhaps the decision-makers want to see how Mack performs following an Achilles injury that wiped out his 2020 season given that he had only a minor role with Indianapolis in 2021.
AUGUST 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Texans C Justin Britt praises consistency of RB Rex Burkhead Houston Texans running back Rex Burkhead is the hallmark for consistency, according to center Justin Britt.
JULY 30, 2022 • USATODAY.COM
Could be complementary piece Houston general manager Nick Caserio said Burkhead's increased role at the end of 2021 was borne "more out of need than anything else," Aaron Reiss of The Athletic reports.
Impact That comment suggests the team views Burkhead as a complementary piece in 2022, and not the lead back. The Texans are expected to explore the free-agent market for team-friendly, affordable options, but they could also add a back after the first round of the draft. Houston holds the third overall pick and is thought to be looking at help along the offensive line or on defense, per John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.
MARCH 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Some of Tom Brady's greatest moments in his 22-year career
Tom Brady filled his 22 seasons in the NFL with more wins, yards passing and touchdowns than any other quarterbackFEBRUARY 1, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Produces as pass catcher Burkhead recorded 12 carries for 24 yards in Sunday's 28-25 loss to the Titans. He added three receptions on four targets for 42 yards.
Impact Burkhead accounted for 12 of the Texans' 17 carries, but he was largely bottled up on the ground. On the other hand, he delivered an impressive performance as a pass catcher, highlighted by receptions of 20 and 14 yards. Burkhead emerged as a surprisingly reliable producer down the stretch of the campaign, totaling at least 65 yards in four of his last five contests. The Texans will likely address their backfield in some fashion this offseason, but Burkhead recently signed an extension to be back in the mix for the 2022 season.
JANUARY 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Rex Burkhead looks like an elite receiver on reaching 20-yard snag Houston Texas running back Rex Burkhead looks like an elite receiver on reaching a 20-yard snag.
JANUARY 9, 2022 • NFL.COM
Signs extension through 2022 The Texans and Burkhead came to terms on a contract extension through the 2022 season Friday, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.
Impact Since signing with Houston back in June, Burkhead has held a variety of roles out of the backfield, but due to injuries and circumstance he's had a bigger one during the stretch run. Since Week 11, he's earned double-digit carries in six of seven games, helping him settle on 110 rushes for 403 yards and three touchdowns to go with 22 catches (on 28 targets) for 144 yards in 15 appearances heading into the season finale. Following Friday's extension, Burkhead joins Scottie Phillips (ankle) as the only running backs under contract with the Texans next season.
JANUARY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Houston's offense sputters after early lead in loss to 49ers
The Houston Texans led by a touchdown early Sunday before being outscored 23-0 the rest of the way as their offense sputtered in a loss to the San Francisco 49ersJANUARY 3, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Falls back down to earth Burkhead rushed 16 times for 47 yards and caught all six of his targets for 32 more yards in Sunday's 23-7 loss to the 49ers.
Impact Burkhead was unable to replicate his monster rushing performance from a week ago (22-149-2), reverting to his inefficient ways (2.9 yards per carry) as the Texans' recent starting back. On the positive side of things, the veteran back continued to see heavy usage with a team-high 22 touches. Burkhead is averaging 21 combined touches over his last three games, giving him a solid floor as a fantasy asset heading into next Sunday's matchup against the Titans.
JANUARY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
49ers take playoff hopes into home finale vs. Texans
The San Francisco 49ers know their path to the playoffs is simple if they just win their final two games starting with Sunday's home finale against the Houston TexansDECEMBER 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
