HOUSTON — Last season was not a good year for 11-year-veteran Mark Ingram. He played 11 games for the Baltimore Ravens in 2020 and rushed for a career-low 299 yards on 72 carries. The emergence of J.K. Dobbins played a factor in Ingram’s struggles, but injuries and COVID-19 were the primary reasons.
Ingram’s battles with the injury bug began during the Ravens’ Week 6 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. He sustained a sprained ankle, and the injury had Ingram bouncing back and forth between the active and injured reserve the remainder of the season.
But ahead of his first year with the Houston Texans, Ingram says he feels strong, fast and explosive.
“I healed up from the ankle injury last season about midseason, but I think just not having as much wear on my body last year, being able to go into the offseason healthy, and put my best foot forward — I feel really good coming into this year,” Ingram said following practice on Saturday. “I feel healthy. I feel strong, fast, explosive and I’m just ready to play and do the best I can do to help the team win games.”
The Texans’ run game should see some significant improvements from the previous season.
In addition to Ingram, Houston signed Phillip Lindsay to a one-year contract while retaining David Johnson. It appears that the Texans will use a rushing attack by committee, but Ingram has been the leadoff man during the first four days of training camp. The backfield trio have a combined six Pro-Bowl appearances — led by Ingram with three.
“We’re just working, trying to learn the system,” Ingram said. “We want to emphasize running the ball. We want to emphasize being physical. And we are just trying to be able to assert our abilities and our talents within the offense. We are all just trying to continue to improve. Continuing to stacking the days. And continue to get better so we can be the best possible when we step on the field on Sunday so we can give ourselves the best chance to win.”
In 132 career games (87 starts), Ingram has rushed for a total of 7,324 yards and 64 touchdowns. He has also proven to be serviceable in the passing game, recording 1,895 career reception yards and 10 touchdowns.
Prior to joining the Texans and Ravens, Ingram played eight seasons with the New Orleans Saints.