Marlon Mack was trucking along.
The former 2017 fourth-round pick from South Florida was coming off his first 1,000-yard rushing season. Even though the Indianapolis Colts drafted the Wisconsin running back in Round 2 of the 2020 NFL draft, the rookie would have to up his game to overtake Mack for the feature back role.
The competition was unfair, but only due to circumstances. Mack tore his Achilles in Week 1 and was lost of the year. Taylor finished with 1,169 rushing yards and a firm command of RB1. Although Mack returned in 2021, he appeared in six games with only 28 carries for 101 yards — by far the lowest statistical point of his career.
Mack is still in the AFC South, but believes he is on the verge of a revitalization with the Houston Texans.
“I definitely feel like I’m there again,” Mack told reporters Friday after the sixth day of training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center. “Last year, I didn’t get that chance to show myself, but in the few games that I did, I felt that confidence in myself.”
Mack had a 3.6 yards per carry as the reserve to Taylor. One of Mack’s best games was against the Baltimore Ravens in a 31-25 loss in Week 5. The 6-0, 210-pound running back had five carries for 47 yards.
In a new NFL city with only himself to focus on, Mack has been able to at least feel the rejuvenation on the practice field.
Said Mack: “Now, I’ve actually just got to go out there and do it again, once again. I feel good, man. Every day I’m showing that explosion. I feel it in my cuts, and every day I keep going out there and keep doing it.”
The Texans could use a dominant running back. Last year’s rushing offense was the worst in the NFL with 3.4 yards per carry and 83.6 rushing yards per game.