Houston Texans offense could benefit in playing D’Onta Foreman

The Houston Texans have kept running back D’Onta Foreman inactive on game day for the past two weeks since he was activated to the 53 man roster from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.

The Houston Texans have tried to ease running back D’Onta Foreman back into football shape after he tore his Achilles last season, but the offense could get a boost from utilizing him in the next couple of weeks of the regular season. The Texans will be facing the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16 and close the regular season with the Jacksonville Jaguars coming to the NRG Stadium in Week 17.

If Foreman is to see any action it will probably be before the playoffs start, so the Texans can see how he well handles the grind throughout games and sees how equipped he is within the offense. Texans TV Host Drew Dougherty reported that head coach/offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien announced that this week could be the game that Foreman makes his 2018 debut:

"“D’Onta has had a good two weeks of practice,” O’Brien said Monday morning. “He’s looked good on the practice field.”"

Obviously, the practice field is much different than real game scenarios, but Foreman beginning to improve in terms of workload in practice and continuing to get more reps is an encouraging sign as he continues to put his Achilles injury in the rearview mirror. Prior to the injury, Foreman had 78 carries for 327 rushing yards and two touchdowns his rookie season.

The Texans could use utilize Foreman after Lamar Miller was unable to finish the game against the New York Jets due to an ankle injury. Alfred Blue wasn’t able to carry the workload of the running game by himself and the offense struggled to run the football. Miller finished the game with eight yards on three carries, and Blue totaled nine carries for six yards. Running back Gregory Howell has been on the roster since the start of the regular season but he has been utilized more as a special teamer than as a player within the offense.

The Texans rushing game has been doing well overall ranking as the sixth-best rushing attack in the NFL. The run game is currently averaging an impressive 130.4 rushing yards per game, Foreman could step in a small role and alleviate some of the pressure from the other two backs. The Texans obviously want Miller and Blue to be rested when it is time for playoffs and Foreman could contribute in the offense so it can continue to have success running the football in January.

The Texans will want to see Foreman continue to improve within the offense and as a running back but having him back on the field for games would be a step in the right direction for 2016 Doak Award recipient and the former third-round draft pick in 2017.