Reports have former Houston Texans RB Lamar Miller signing with the Patriots, meaning he’ll be an opponent in 2020.
For four seasons from 2016-18 the Houston Texans had Lamar Miller as their starting running back, but now multiple reports have the free agent Miller signing with the New England Patriots for the 2020 season.
Remember Miller missed all of the 2019 season because he tore his ACL in a Week 3 preseason game last season, which led to the Houston Texans signing Carlos Hyde for the 2019 season, who rushed for over 1,000 yards.
From 2016-18, Miller had seasons of 1,073 yards (five touchdowns), 888 yards (three touchdowns) and 973 yards (five touchdowns). It was a shame how Miller’s tenure ended with the Texans because he made 41 starts for the franchise in a three-year span, and he was a running back who in 2018 averaged 4.6 yards per carry.
Going into the 2019 season, the Houston Texans were being careful with Miller as he didn’t play in the first two preseason games, and in the third one he was injured on his second carry, so it was a very unfortunate injury to occur.
Houston Texans: Now will be facing Lamar Miller in 2020
Now looking at the situation for Miller, he’s going to be in a good situation because he won’t have to be the main player as he continues to recover from the injury. Miller will also be playing for a veteran New England Patriots team who always finds a way to be successful.
Miller and the Patriots will be facing the Houston Texans on Nov. 22, which is a Week 11 game to be played at NRG Stadium, so it will be a bit of a homecoming for the former Texans running back.
In a RotoWire Report, it says the following about the signing of Miller by New England and what he’ll do for the Patriots in 2020:
"“Also in the team’s backfield mix are James White, Rex Burkhead, Damien Harris and J.J. Taylor, a context that doesn’t provide an immediate path to steady carries for the 29-year-old Miller …”"
Being that Miller is a veteran player coming off the ACL tear, not having the huge workload he had in Houston with the Texans is most likely the best thing for him. Miller has faced the Texans franchise in the past as a member of the Miami Dolphins, too.
When he played for Miami, Miller faced the Texans once back in 2015, where he had 14 carries for 175 yards and one touchdown. That game he averaged 12.5 yards per carry on Oct. 25, 2015, while also making three receptions for 61 yards and one receiving, averaging 20.3 yards per reception.
Miller is very deserving of still playing in the NFL, and landing in New England with the Patriots is maybe the best place for him to be. It will always be a mystery to how the Texans would look today if Miller’s injury hadn’t happened. Miller’s missing last season eventually led to the Texans trading for David Johnson, who is now the current starting running back in Houston.
If Miller gets a decent number of carries, by the time he and the Patriots face the Texans that could make for an interesting game for sure, but if healthy, Miller should contribute good, solid numbers just like he did for the Texans.