Houston Texans wise to re-sign RB Jonathan Grimes
By Randy Gurzi
Re-signing veteran running back Jonathan Grimes didn’t seem like a lock for the Houston Texans, but it was a good move
After refusing to offer a tender to running back Jonathan Grimes, the Houston Texans risked losing him in free agency. The third-down back went and tested the market, but in the end he wound up signing a one-year deal to stay with the Texans, for less than the tendered amount would have been.
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The move was risky as the Texans could have lost arguably their most dynamic back from the 2015 season, but it worked out in the end and was a smart move by general manager Rick Smith to retain Grimes.
The 26-year old was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Texans in 2012, but was released that season and placed on the practice squad. The New York Jets brought him in, but not for long as Grimes had a second stint with the Texans that season.
Eventually he was again released and in December of 2012 he joined the Jacksonville Jaguars. 2013 ended up marking the third stint in Houston for Grimes and he settled into a role of a pass catching running back and special teams ace.
In 2015 Grimes ran for 282 yards on 56 carries (5.0 yards per rush) and caught 26 passes for 173 yards. He had one touchdown rushing and one receiving.
Bringing him back in the fold gives the Texans a solid backup to newly signed Lamar Miller. Also on the roster is the much more heralded Alfred Blue and Chris Polk. Both were far less productive as neither were able to run for more than four yards per carry.
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Grimes is a smart player who excels on third-downs and should allow the team to move on from either Blue or Polk, who have both failed to meet expectations.