The Houston Texans are going with a youth movement on the roster. It is one of the reasons why defensive end Whitney Mercilus asked for his release.
If the Texans are committed to going with younger players and evaluating what they have on their roster, then running back Scottie Phillips needs to be a part of the conversation.
The second-year running back, who was undrafted from Ole Miss, has been inactive for all but Week 3 when he played seven snaps on special teams in Houston’s 24-9 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Thursday Night Football.
It isn’t like the run game has been on fire and Phillips just can’t find any playing time. Sunday in the 31-3 loss to the Indianapolis Colts was the first time since Week 1 the Texans amassed over 100 yards rushing. Furthermore the Texans still haven’t had a back go over 100 yards in a game this season. The triumvirate of Pro Bowlers in Mark Ingram, Phillip Lindsay, and David Johnson have produced 3.3, 2.5, and 4.0 yards per carry.
The Texans’ running game isn’t so fabulous that Phillips can’t find playing time. Therefore, maybe Phillips is so horrendous that he is getting beat out underperforming veterans. If that is the case, Houston needs to release him immediately and stop allowing an underachiever to waste a roster spot.
Of course, Phillips being incapable can’t be the case. Rather, there has to be some hesitancy on the coaching staff’s part to make room for Phillips.
Coach David Culley told reporters Monday that it is “a possibility” that Phillips will get more opportunities at running back.
“When we sit and we look at it, I do feel like that the guys that have been playing for us at running back have been consistent,” said Culley. “Up until this game here, we hadn’t laid the ball on the ground at all at the running back position. We had a couple this past game. But obviously, Scottie is there waiting. If we get in a situation where we feel like we need to make a move, I feel confident in making that move if it gets to that point.”
If that is the criteria for Houston to make a move at running back, then perhaps Phillips will never get his shot.