The Houston Texans got some help back at running back amid their 26-20 loss to the Indianapolis Colts Sunday afternoon at NRG Stadium.
Former All-Pro David Johnson returned from injured reserve after a three-game absence, and provided the Texans with 10 carries for 44 yards and a touchdown.
“Man, I felt great,” Johnson said of his return. “I was excited. It’s been a long time. It felt like forever that I was on IR and not being with the team and just spectating. It felt good, especially since I was able to get that touchdown. It felt good just being back with the boys, being back with the team and playing the game that I love.”
Johnson had the best seat in the house to see the worst play of the game for Houston. With 1:22 to go in the game, facing a second-and-goal from the Colts’ 4-yard line, having forced Indianapolis to burn all three of their timeouts, the Texans were on the verge of taking the lead.
Instead, center Nick Martin botched a shotgun snap that went low and away to the left of quarterback Deshaun Watson, who was unable to fall on the football.
“I tried to get on the ball, me and Deshaun, but it just squirted out and they jumped on it,” Johnson said.
The defense was converging on Watson, and given that it was a zone-read play, if Watson had decided to allow Johnson to take it, the running back could have scored.
Perhaps the Colts would have driven for a game-winning field goal on the ensuing drive, but the incomplete feeling of not finishing off the season’s most consequential drive to date brings dissatisfaction.
“It’s always tough to lose a game like that,” said Johnson. “For me, I don’t believe it’s always one play that makes it like that. I definitely had a couple plays where I wanted back to help out the offense.”