Houston Texans: 5 players whose stock is rising after preseason Week 1

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Aug 14, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Houston Texans running back Kenny Hilliard (22) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers strong safety Jaquiski Tartt (29) in the second quarter at Levi /

4. Kenny Hilliard, RB

A seventh-round pick in 2015, Kenny Hilliard spent all of his rookie season on the Texans practice squad. Listed at 5-foot-11 and 226 pounds, Hilliard spent most of his LSU career as a rotational back but provided a spark on Sunday.

His final stat line wasn’t eye-popping as he rushed for 40 yards on 12 carries but Hilliard ran hard agains the Niners. Hilliard was the opposite of Lamar Miller who danced around a lot and was kind of feast or famine while running.

The less heralded back however was a decisive one-cut runner. He finished his rushes with power and even added a 17-yard reception on the night.

With Miller entrenched as the starter, Hilliard is battling with Akeem Dent, Jonathan Grimes, Tyler Ervin and Alfred Blue for touches. After Sunday, he may have put his name closer to the top of that list than the bottom.

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