HOUSTON — After starting the season with five running back on the roster, the Houston Texans will be down to two during Sunday’s Week 15 match against the 2-11 Jacksonville Jaguars.
According to coach David Culley on Wednesday, the Texans will have running backs Royce Freeman and David Johnson in the backfield at TIAA Bank Field.
Johnson will be making his return to the team after missing the pervious two games due to COVID.
“Injuries happen, and unfortunately for us, David having COVID was a big setback,” Culley said. “Playing these two backs is good enough for what we like to do, especially after our break, but losing Rex [Burkhead] is a tough blow for us.”
Rex Burkhead, who served as the Texans’ starting running back in place of Johnson, sustained a hip injury during Houston’s 33-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
Despite not being available for their AFC South match against the Jaguars, Culley stated that Burkhead’s injury is not a long-term issue. He is listed day-to-day.
For the second consecutive season, the Texans have had the league’s most inefficient rushing attach with Johnson at the helm.
With four remaining in the 2021 campaign, the Texans are currently last in rushing, averaging a league-low 77.5 yards per game.