Tag: D’Onta Foreman

Texans vs. Titans second quarter recap: Houston dominates 12-0

The Houston Texans took a 12-0 lead over the Tennessee Titans in the second quarter of Week 11.

Texans vs. Titans first quarter recap

Texans 2nd drive (4 plays, 0 yards, 1:25) — On a third-and-6 from the Titans’ 6-yard line, rookie WR Nico Collins was ruled shoved out for an incomplete pass in the left corner of the end zone. Collins’ elbow hit simultaneously with his knee touching out of bounds, but coach David Culley challenged anyway, his first of his career. Tony Corrente, who has an 0-4 overturn rate on coaches challenges, upheld the ruling on the field. Houston settled for a 24-yard K Kai’imi Fairbairn field goal. Texans, 6-0

Titans 3rd drive (3 plays, 8 yards, 1:13) — The Texans defense stiffed up and stopped the Tennessee offense, turning them three-and-out.

Texans 3rd drive (9 plays, 46 yards, 4:39) — The rain started to pour in the middle of Houston’s drive. On a second-and-goal from the Titans’ 7-yard line, QB Tyrod Taylor rushed and leapt into the end zone, banging into two Titans along the way. Fairbairn misses the extra point in the pouring rain. Texans, 12-0

Titans 4th drive (7 plays, 31 yards, 4:39) — RB D’Onta Foreman was picking up yards and looked like he was going to get his revenge on the team that picked him in Round 3 of the 2017 NFL draft. Foreman had three carries for 16 yards and a catch fro 15 on a screen. However, the Texans stuffed RB Adrian Peterson for no gain on a fourth-and-1 from the Texans’ 31-yard line.

Texans 4th drive (3 plays, 7 yards, 1:20) — The Texans of the past eight weeks show up as Houston shoots themselves in the foot with penalties. The Texans go three-and-out, but manage to back up the Titans at their own 7-yard line.

Titans 5th drive () — Believe it or not, DT Ross Blacklock managed to line up on a spike play, providing for the Titans to try one last play with Tannehill looking for a throw into the end zone from the Texans’ 24-yard line. However, he wasn’t outside the tackle box, and with 0:09 to go, a mandatory 10-second runoff means it was the end of the first half. How bizarre.

 

Stats

Texans

Taylor: 12/14, 94 yards; 3 carries, 14 yards, TD

Rex Burkhead: 5 carries, 13 yards

Chris Conley: 3 catches, 31 yards

Titans

Tannehill: 13/21, 122 yards, INT

Peterson: 7 carries, 37 yards

Foreman: 6 carries, 28 yards; 1 catch, 15 yards

A.J. Brown: 3 catches, 28 yards

Titans’ D’Onta Foreman not holding a grudge against Texans

D’Onta Foreman is just focused on helping the Titans win in Week 11.

When Tennessee Titans running back D’Onta Foreman takes the field against the Houston Texans on Sunday, it’ll be the first time he faces off with the team that drafted him in 2017.

A former third-round pick of the Texans, Foreman spent two years with the team but was released in 2019 as he attempted to make his way back from a torn Achilles.

Since then, Foreman has bounced around with a few different teams but now finds himself with a golden opportunity to get his career back on track as the Titans’ lead back with Derrick Henry on the shelf.

When asked if he was holding a grudge against his old mates, Foreman said that was not the case and he’s looking at this game just like any other.

“Maybe for some people, but honestly a lot of people I was there with aren’t even there anymore,” Foreman explained. “Obviously I want to play well, definitely, but it’s just another game, honestly. Go out there and just play my game and do what I can do to help the team.

In two games since Henry’s injury, the Titans’ ground game as a whole has struggled. However, Foreman has looked like the best of the bunch, which should warrant lead-back duties in Week 11.

And Foreman will have a great chance to shine, as his former team ranks 31st against the run this season, and the Titans will be short one back, with Jeremy McNichols having been ruled out.

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Two Longhorns named semifinalists for Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award

Bijan Robinson and Xavier Worthy named Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award semifinalists.

The Longhorns have not lived up to expectations this season, but sophomore running back Bijan Robinson and freshman wide receiver Xavier Worthy have been bright spots.

Robinson and Worthy’s seasons are not going unrecognized as they were named semifinalists for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award on Thursday.

On their website, the Earl Campbell Award explains their mission:

The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award recognizes the top offensive player in Division I football who also exhibits the enduring characteristics that define Earl Campbell: integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community, and tenacity; specifically, tenacity to persist and determination to overcome adversity and injury in pursuit of reaching goals.

The award is reserved for players that played high school or college football in the state of Texas.

Robinson and Worthy join a strong list of Longhorns previously named semifinalists:

  • QB Sam Ehlinger (2018, 2019, 2020)
  • WR Devin Duvernay (2019)
  • WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey (2018)
  • RB D’Onta Foreman (2016)
  • RB Johnathan Gray (2013)

The finalists will be announced on Dec. 14, 2021.

Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.

Fantasy start or sit Week 11: D’Onta Foreman, Adrian Peterson, Jeremy McNichols

Only one Titans back is a viable starter this week against the Texans.

In two games without their superstar rusher, Derrick Henry, the Tennessee Titans have struggled to move the ball on the ground, which has been bad news for fantasy managers who have a stake in either Adrian Peterson, D’Onta Foreman or Jeremy McNichols.

In Week 10 against the New Orleans Saints, Titans backs combined for 23 carries for 58 yards, a putrid 2.5 yards per tote.

Foreman led the way with 78 total yards, including a team-high 30 rushing, while Peterson had 21 to McNichols’ seven. Foreman also led all Titans backs in carries with 11.

While it has been ugly without Henry, there are a few reasons for hope this week.

For starters, those two aforementioned matchups came against the Saints (No. 1) and Los Angeles Rams (No. 10), two teams that sport a top 10 run defense.

Also, in Week 11, the Titans draw a very favorable matchup against a Houston Texans defense that has struggled mightily against the run.

So, with that in mind, can you trust any Titans back this week? Let’s find out now.

Tunnel Vision of Week 10

Tunnel Vision – a look back at Sunday for fantasy free agents, injuries and notable performances.

SUNDAY SALUTES
Quarterbacks Pass – Rush TD
 Dak Prescott  296 – 5 3
 Josh Allen 366 – 3 2
 Jalen Hurts 178 – 53 2
 Trevor Siemian 298 2
 Patrick Mahomes 406 5
Running Backs Yards TD
R. Stevenson 20-100 rush
4-14 catch		 2
AJ Dillon 21-66 rush
2-62 catch		 2
Christian McCaffrey 13-95 rush
10-66 catch		 0
Jonathan Taylor 21-116 rush
6-10 catch		 1
Darrel Williams 11-43 rush
9-101 catch		 1
Wide Receivers Yards TD
Stefon Diggs 8-162 1
CeeDee Lamb 1-12 rush
6-94 catch		 2
Kendrick Bourne 3-43 rush
4-98 catch		 1
Justin Jefferson 9-143 0
Tyreek Hill 7-83 2
Tight Ends Yards TD
Hunter Henry 4-37 2
Mark Andrews 6-63 1
Tyler Conklin 3-11 2
Gerald Everett 8-63 0
Travis Kelce 8-119 0
Placekickers XP FG
Zane Gonzalez 2 4
Jake Elliott 3 3
Chris Boswell 1 3
Randy Bullock 2 3
Harrison Butker 5 2
Defense Sack – TO TD
Cowboys 2 – 2 1
Packers 3 – 2 0
Dolphins 4 – 2 1
Patriots 5 – 1 0
Panthers 4 – 2 0

Bumps, Bruises and Bowouts

QB Baker Mayfield – Knee
QB Colt McCoy – Pectoral
RB Aaron Jones – Knee
RB Jermar Jefferson – Ankle
WR Anthony Schwartz – Head
WR CeeDee Lamb – Arm
TE Ricky Seals-Jones – Hip
TE Hayden Hurst – Ankle
TE Dallas Goedert – Head

Chasing Ambulances

QB Baker Mayfield (CLE)  – Suffered a bruised right knee and did not return in the loss to the Patriots. Mayfield was already playing through injuries and said after the game that he wasn’t sure he could play this week against the Lions.  Case Keenum will take the attractive start if Mayfield isn’t able to play.

RB Aaron Jones (GB) – Went down in the third quarter of the win over the Seahawks holding his right knee. He did not return to the game and is believed to have sprained his MCL. He had to be helped from the field, and there is concern that it may force him to miss games. An MRI will confirm the situation on Monday. If Jones misses time, AJ Dillon would be in line for an  increase in workload against the Vikings this week, and the Rams the following matchup if it were to be more than one week.

Patrick Taylor is the only other running back currently on the active roster, but he’s an undrafted ex-Memphis back who was on the practice squad until two weeks ago. His two rushes for seven yards on Sunday were his first in the NFL. Dillon is the only back sure to see an increase in work if Jones remains out.

WR CeeDee Lamb (DAL) – He’s been nursing a sore ankle but blew up for two scores against the Falcons. He also suffered an arm contusion that had him leave the game. He’s thought to have been injured in the first half and just played through it. He said that it felt like it was “a charlie horse in my arm.” It doesn’t sound like anything serious.

TE Ricky Seals-Jones (WAS) – Injured his hip and was helped from the field by the trainers, Logan Thomas hasn’t been activated from injured reserve yet, but he’s expected to return soon. The only other options are John Bates and Sammie Reyes but neither would carry any fantasy value if Thomas remains out and Seals-Jones cannot play.

TE Dallas Goedert (PHI) – Took a shot to the head and will be tested for a concussion. If he misses any time, the only other tight ends on the roster are Jack Stoll and Tyree Jackson, and neither would project as fantasy relevant even if Goedert misses any time.

Free Agents, Flops and Other Notables

WR Rashod Bateman (BAL) –  The rookie played in just four games this year, but he’s improved each week and led the Ravens with six receptions for 80 yards in their loss to the Dolphins.

QB Matt Ryan (ATL) – after throwing for two scores and around 300 yards for the last six games, he only completed 9-of-21 for 117 yards with two interceptions in the loss to the Cowboys.

WR Michael Gallup (DAL) – Spent the last eight weeks on injured reserve but returned in the in over the Falcons. He caught three passes for 42 yards and his five targets were second only to the six passes thrown to CeeDee Lamb and Tony Pollard.

RB James Robinson (JAC) – Returned after injuring his heel in Week 8. He started slowly but finished with 12 carries for 57 yards and a touchdown, plus caught four passes for 27 yards. His heel appeared to be no issue.

RB Rhamondre Stevenson (NE) – The Player-of-the-week below not only ran for 100 yards and two scores on 20 carries and caught four passes for 14 yards but he was pulled midway in the fourth quarter or it would have been more. Damien Harris was out with a concussion, but Stevenson is buying a bigger role ongoing even when Harris returns as the starter.

WR Kendrick Bourne (NE) – All of his best efforts have been in home games, which continued against the visiting Browns. Bourne ended with four receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown, plus gained 43 yards on three rushes. His two previous games were on the road and he never gained more than 35 yards in either game.

TE Hunter Henry (NE) – After scoring in five of the previous six games, Henry scored twice in the win over the Browns. His yardage is typically low, but he scored seven times over the last seven games.

RB Matt Breida (BUF) – Both Devin Singletary (7-43, TD) and Zack Moss (7-27, TD) had more carries than Breida, but this was the first time that we’ve seen him since Week 1 and Breida ran for 28 yards and a touchdown on three carries, plus caught three passes for 22 yards and a second score. There was only one other pass thrown to a running back. And this takes a more interesting slant with head coach Sean McDermott’s recent statement that he wanted to get more from his backfield after Week 9 saw Singletary (6-16) and Moss (3-6) were ineffective against the Steelers. Notable too is that all three backs faced the Jets and their No. 32 ranked defense against running backs.

RB Godwin Igwebuike (DET) – The Lions battled to a tie, kind of a win since they were 0-8. And they did that at the Steelers by running the ball 39 times versus just 25 passes. D’Andre Swift (33-130) was the workhorse, and Jamaal Williams was out with a thigh injury that may continue into Week 11, given that he never practiced. Jermar Jefferson ran for 41 yards on three carries and scored but was carted off after injuring his ankle while crossing the goal line.  Godwin Igwebuike is an ex-safety converted to running back  and debuted with three runs for 18 yards and three catches for 40 yards in Week 8. He again filled in this week and ran for 56 yards on two carries that included an impressive 42-yard touchdown run. Jefferson appeared to have a serious injury. If he and Williams remain out this week, Igwebuike would be the direct backup for Swift in Cleveland this week.

RB Mark Ingram (NO) – Had the start since Alvin Kamara was out. Ingram ran for 47 yards and a score on 14 rushes and added four catches for 61 yards. He tied with Tre’Quan Smith for a team-high seven targets. He did a credible job filling in.

RB D’Onta Foreman (TEN) – While fantasy waiver wires were busy fighting over Adrian Peterson, it’s been Foreman who was the busier of the two. Peterson ran for 21 yards on eight carries and lost a yard on his one catch. Foreman ran 11 times for 30 yards and gained 48 yards on his two catches in the win over the Saints.

QB Cam Newton (CAR) – He just signed  with the Panthers in the middle of last week and was surprisingly active on Sunday. P.J. Walker started and threw for 167 yards on his 22-of-29 day with one interception. But Newton trotted on to throw three passes and connected with Robbie Anderson for a 2-yard touchdown. Newton also ran the ball three times for 14 yards and a touchdown, looking very much like it was old times again when he faked the handoff to the left  and ran to the right for the score. The expectation is that Newton resumes as the starter as of this week when they host Washington.

TE Gerald Everett (SEA) – He led the Seahawks in receiving in the loss at the Packers when he caught eight passes for 63 yards for a season-high. Everett hasn’t scored since the season opener, but his four road games in the seven that he’s played have all been more productive than when at home. Things go worse away from Seattle, and Everett is more  frequently used.

Huddle player of the week

RB Rhamondre Stevenson (NE)  –  The rookie is one of the most exciting players in the NFL, but only in a sense you can never quite be sure if he’ll even be active, let alone be allowed a lot of touches. And there’s that every-play tension knowing that if he fumbles, no one sees him again for a few weeks. Stevenson became the top fantasy running back this week when Damien Harris was out with a concussion. The rookie rushed for 100 yards on 20 carries, caught four passes for 14 yards and scored two touchdowns. And he didn’t even play in the latter half of the fourth quarter.

Salute!

Drama 101 – Somebody has to laugh, somebody has to cry

Comedy Yards TDs Tragedy Yards TDs
QB Trevor Siemian 298 2 QB Russell Wilson 193 0
RB Matt Breida 50 2 RB Myles Gaskin 45 0
RB AJ  Dillon 128 2 RB Javonte Williams 49 0
WR DeAndre Carter 60 1 WR AJ Green 4 0
WR Kendrick Bourne 141 1 WR AJ Brown 23 0
WR Jamal Agnew 79 1 WR Mike Williams 33 0
TE Hunter Henry 37 2 TE T.J. Hockerson nope 0
PK Zane Gonzalez   2 XP  4 FG PK Jason Meyers  zero
Huddle Fantasy Points = 141 Huddle Fantasy Points = 22

Now get back to work…

Fantasy start or sit Week 10: Adrian Peterson, Jeremy McNichols, D’Onta Foreman

Titans running backs will have a tough test in Week 10 against an elite Saints run defense.

Life without running back Derrick Henry didn’t get off to a great start for the Tennessee Titans, at least as far as the team’s rushing attack is concerned.

While the Titans did notch an upset victory over the Los Angeles Rams, the team saw its rushing attack struggle en route to totaling just 69 yards on 29 carries (2.7 yards per carry).

Tennessee deployed three running backs throughout in Jeremy McNichols, Adrian Peterson and D’Onta Foreman. Peterson led the way with 10 carries, followed by McNichols’ seven (and three catches) and Foreman’s five.

Despite getting the most carries, Peterson did not look like the best back. Instead, it was Foreman, who passed the eye test and posted the best numbers on the stat sheet.

With all that in mind, can fantasy managers deploy any of these three backs on Sunday in what will be a difficult matchup against the New Orleans Saints? Let’s find out now as we go over some start or sit advice.

Adrian Peterson reacts to first game, touchdown with Titans

“It felt good to get into the end zone,” Peterson said of his fourth quarter touchdown run against the Rams.

Fresh off their 34-31 overtime victory over the Indianapolis Colts last week, the Tennessee Titans scrambled to find a replacement for superstar running back Derrick Henry, who underwent foot surgery on Tuesday.

The Titans acted swiftly, bringing in veteran and free-agent running back Adrian Peterson on Monday, and he officially signed with the club the following day.

The 36-year-old practiced with his new team for the first time on Wednesday, with the intent of starting Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams.

Sans Henry, most of the national media pegged the Rams to come away with the victory on “Sunday Night Football,” but it was the Titans who shocked the world, winning 28-16 in what never felt like a close game.

As for Peterson, he was named the starting running back going into the game and ran for three yards on his first carry. He ultimately finished with just 21 yards on 10 carries (2.1 yards per tote), but he did find the end zone to put the Rams away in the fourth quarter.

“It’s very exciting, it was an ideal situation for me,” Peterson said after the game. “I wanted to come into this week and put my best foot forward, come out today and contribute any way that I could. So, that’s pretty much what I did.”

Without Henry, it took a couple of series for the Titans to find their footing, but the defense made a couple of big plays back-to-back to get things going.

With the Rams backed up at their own 10-yard line, Jeffery Simmons got to Rams quarterback Matt Stafford in the end zone, forcing the latter to throw an errant pass right to David Long.

The Titans scored on the next play on a beautiful pass from Ryan Tannehill to Geoff Swaim. On the next series for Los Angeles, Titans safety Kevin Byard picked off Stafford on the first play, returning it for a touchdown.

Just like that, it was 14-3 in favor of the road team.

Coming into the organization halfway through the 2021 season, Peterson’s initial takeaway from the Titans as a group explained why the team has had so much success under head coach Mike Vrabel.

“A great group of guys that have each other’s back, a gritty team, a lot of heart, and just really passionate about what they do,” he said. “They’re really about the small things – offensively, defensively, special teams, well-coached. I see why they have had the success they’ve had over the years.”

Without Henry, the Titans’ offense struggled to move the ball consistently, and it certainly didn’t help that wide receiver A.J. Brown had a couple of drive-ending drops.

Holding onto a 21-9 lead, Tennessee stopped the Rams on fourth down at the Titans’ 40-yard line. From there, the Titans marched down the field, aided by two roughing the passer penalties, eventually setting the stage for Peterson’s first touchdown from the one-yard line.

“It felt good to get into the end zone,” the long-time Minnesota Viking added. “I had to make up for the previous play that I had, the wildcat. That one was kind of bothering me, so I guess that touchdown made up for it a little bit.”

As a group, the Titans struggled to run the ball, rushing for a combined 69 yards on 26 carries. It was actually D’Onta Foreman who was Tennessee’s best runner on Sunday night, not Peterson.

The veteran was running too high all night and there were several instances that he ran into his own offensive lineman before gaining minimal yardage.

Peterson is likely to remain with the Titans during Henry’s absence, and his form and ability to find holes between the tackles should come easier as the team gels, gets healthier upfront, and as he gets more acclimated.

“I felt like it was ok,” Peterson said of his overall debut. “I think we left a lot out there as a running back group. I know I did as well. As we continue to get practice and get reps in, we’ll continue to get chemistry with those guys up front.”

The Titans (7-2) made it the most difficult portion of their schedule with a perfect 4-0 record.

Now, they will head back home to face a 5-3 New Orleans Saints club that has Trevor Siemian starting in place of Jameis Winston, who tore his ACL, ending his season.

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Titans add Peterson, Foreman to practice squad among several moves

The Titans also waived Avery Williamson from the active roster, and Mekhi Sargent from the practice squad.

The Tennessee Titans made a flurry of moves on their practice squad and active roster on the day after finding out that running back Derrick Henry would miss significant time with a foot injury.

After it was reported on Monday that the Titans would sign Adrian Peterson to the practice squad, the team made it official on Tuesday, while also announcing the signing of D’Onta Foreman to the practice squad.

In addition to those moves, the Titans waived linebacker Avery Williamson from the active roster, and running back Mekhi Sargent, defensive lineman Caraun Reid, and defensive lineman Eli Ankou from the practice squad.

Tennessee also added to the practice squad with the signings of defensive back Nate Brooks and defensive lineman Niles Scott.

Peterson is expected to lead the Titans’ backfield with Henry out, but Jeremy McNichols will also factor into the equation, and there’s a chance Foreman could get some looks, also.

The Titans will travel to Los Angeles to take on the Rams in Week 9. Before then, the NFL trade deadline will hit on Tuesday, Nov. 2 at 3 p.m. CT.

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Report: Titans set to work out RB D’Onta Foreman

D’Onta Foreman spent the 2020 season with the Titans.

The Tennessee Titans have been busy adding running backs to their practice squad lately, but it appears they are taking a look at one more.

According to Aaron Wilson of Sports Talk 790, Tennessee is working out running back D’Onta Foreman, who spent the 2020 season with the Titans where he totaled 22 carries for 95 yards and one receiving touchdown.

Foreman also recently worked out for the Washington Football Team.

After activating running back Darrynton Evans off Injured Reserve ahead of the Week 7 game against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Titans have added two more backs to their practice squad in Mekhi Sargent and Dontrell Hilliard. Sargent was previously waived to make room for Evans.

Also on Wednesday, the team designated three players to return from IR in inside linebacker Jayon Brown, outside linebacker Derick Roberson and backup guard/center, Aaron Brewer.

The Titans will return to the practice field on Wednesday and will take on the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday.

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Washington works out two running backs on Monday

Washington worked out two running backs on Monday.

The Washington Football Team could be looking for depth at running back behind starter Antonio Gibson, third-down back J.D. McKissic and rookie Jaret Patterson.

According to the NFL’s transaction wire, Washington worked out running backs D’Onta Foreman and Ryquell Armstead on Monday.

Perhaps Washington is just trying out running backs in case one is needed this season due to injury. Gibson injured his shoulder in the Week 1 loss to the Chargers and was listed on the injury report for Week 1. However, after missing one day of practice, he participated in the final two days last week.

Foreman was a third-round pick in 2017 by the Houston Texans. He spent two seasons with the Texans before being waived. He spent a few weeks with the Indianapolis Colts before landing with the Tennessee Titans in 2020.

Foreman signed with the Falcons this summer but was released after three weeks.

For his NFL career, Foreman has 107 carries for 421 yards and two touchdowns. At 6-foot-1, 236 pounds, Foreman could be a short-yardage solution for Washington if it wants to add another back.

Foreman rushed for over 2,000 yards during his final season at Texas in 2016.

Armstead, 24, was a fifth-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019. He rushed 35 times for 108 yards in 2019 and missed the 2020 season due to COVID-19.