Tag: Scottie Phillips

Nick Caserio says Texans will evaluate running back ‘as we go’

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio says that the organization will address the running back position as the offseason progresses.

Running back has arguably been a position of need for the Houston Texans since the 2019 offseason.

Instead of drafting young talent, the Texans have delved into the free agency pool, traded for once prolific veterans, and added familiar faces from other places.

One familiar face that emerged as the Texans’ lead running back near the end of the 2021 season is Rex Burkhead, who re-signed with Houston. However, the 31-year-old can’t reasonably be Houston’s lead back for another season, and general manager Nick Caserio talked about how the team will approach running back in the offseason.

“There are a number of players at that position that are going to be free agents, guys that made contributions for us last year,” Caserio said at the NFL combine on March 1. “We were able to re-sign Rex at the end of the year, kind of extend him into this season. I’d say Rex’s role grew as the year progressed, probably more out of need more than anything else. But that’s probably a position that we’ll evaluate as we go.”

Burkhead carried 122 times for 427 yards and three touchdowns while catching 25 passes for 186 yards through 16 games, five of which he started. The former Cincinnati Bengal and New England Patriot also recorded Houston’s lone 100-yard rushing game of the season in Week 16 as he carried 22 times for 149 yards and two touchdowns in the 41-29 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.

Caserio knows Houston will have to spend resources, whether in free agency or the draft, on running back.

Said Caserio: “We only have three players under contract currently. Rex is one, Scottie Phillips, and then Darius Anderson, who signed as a reserve future player there after the season. It’s probably a position that we’ll kind of evaluate here during the offseason, how we build it out. I think it’s yet to be determined.”

The last time the Texans drafted a running back in the top-100 was in 2017 when they spent a third-round pick on D’Onta Foreman (No. 89 overall) from Texas.

Texans RB Scottie Phillips questionable to return vs. Dolphins due to leg injury

Houston Texans running back Scottie Phillips is questionable to return against the Miami Dolphins with a leg injury.

HOUSTON — The first half of the Houston Texans’ Week 9 match against the Miami Dolphins can be summarized by one word — frustrating. But in the midst of trailing 17-6 at the half, the Texans could be a running back short during the final 24 minutes of Sunday’s game at Hard Rock Stadium.

According to Texans’ PR, second-year running back Scottie Phillips is questionable to return after sustaining a leg injury. Phillips was injured during his lone rush attempt of the game — where he recorded two yards on the pickup.

Phillips’ appearance against the Dolphins was the first time this season the 24-year-old running back performed in back-to-back games for the Texans. The number of snaps he has been able to obtain is the result of Houston moving on from running back Mark Ingram, who was traded to the New Orleans Saints prior to the NFL trade deadline.

“I feel like Scottie [Phillips] is always ready,” starting running back David Johnson said following the trade of Ingram. “He showed out really well in the preseason. I think he just needs his opportunity, and I think he’s going to do well for us when he does have the chance to run the ball or catch the ball or pass pro. I think he’s a good player.”

Texans running game no better, no worse without Mark Ingram

The Houston Texans didn’t seem to fare better without Mark Ingram, which is the same way the running game performed when they had the running back.

The Los Angeles Rams absolutely stomped the Texans on Sunday. There’s simply no getting around it. Despite a respectable final score of 38-22, thanks to three garbage time touchdowns by the offense in the fourth quarter, anyone who watched the game will tell you that Houston was blown out.

This isn’t exactly a surprising outcome, most people understand the now 7-1 Rams to be Super Bowl contenders and the 1-7 Texans are a well-understood bottom feeder of the NFL this year. The only intrigue behind this game was in the individual headlines and fantasy scores, the outcome was never in doubt.

One of the those headlines that many Houston faithful were following was how the run game would fare this week. Mark Ingram, by all accounts the lead back through the team’s first seven games, was shipped out of town to New Orleans on Wednesday for a measly 2024 seventh-round pick.

The transaction left David Johnson, Phillip Lindsay, Rex Burkhead, and Scottie Phillips as the active running backs on the roster. Specifically, there was a lot of optimism on how Phillips, a seven-year undrafted free agent from Ole Miss, might fair with a chance to finally be active for a game.

Safe to say, it absolutely didn’t matter against Los Angeles. Houston only ran the ball 14 times, a very unusual game script for what’s been a conservative offense under head coach David Culley. The running backs combined for only 44 yards, which may have played a large part in why offensive coordinator Tim Kelly decided to let rookie Davis Mills throw the ball 38 times.

Burkhead led the group with 21 yards off five carries and a touchdown, all of which came in the fourth quarter against the Rams second team defense. Phillips was given five carries, to which he took to the tune of only 11 yards. Somehow second on the team.

Houston averaged 3.1 yards per carry on the ground and the abysmal offensive line has made it virtually impossible to succeed in that facet of the game.

The only direction to go is up for the running game. It would appear that Mark Ingram’s presence nor absence will make any substantial difference in the offense’s success.

The Texans need to not do what they did to Buddy Howell and actually play Phillips during meaningful parts of games, not when it is garbage time.

Texans RB Scottie Phillips’ time is now with departure of Mark Ingram

The Houston Texans should consider giving RB Scottie Phillips more snaps with Mark Ingram now gone to the New Orleans Saints.

The Houston Texans traded running back Mark Ingram back to where it all started for the Pro Bowler: the New Orleans Saints.

The Texans added Ingram, a 2021 free agency addition, had been a great surprise for the Texans. He represented the team’s best running back through seven games in what had been an underwhelming ground game and had been one of the faces of the new ‘culture’ the organization has been preaching.

The compensation for the pick has not been announced yet but, at face value, this is a huge win for the Texans. Ingram does not project into their future nor teach them anything about other players on the roster, meanwhile Ingram himself deserves an opportunity to be competing for the playoffs and potentially a Super Bowl in what is a later stage of his career.

Hopefully, Ingram can be a meaningful contributor for the Saints behind Alvin Kamara. What matters now in Houston is turning towards the Rams’ game and the rest of the 2021 season. They have an incredible opportunity created by the vacuum left by Ingram’s departure.

Scottie Phillips has room for carries.

Phillips, an undrafted free agent from the 2020 rookie class, made the 2021 53-man roster after a fabulous preseason. The 3-week stint included 66 yards and a touchdown against the Packers and 73 yards against Tampa Bay where he frequently looked like the team’s most dynamic running back.

He hasn’t been active yet this season due to a crowded backfield with Ingram, Phillip Lindsay, David Johnson and Rex Burkhead. However, his addition to the 53-man despite four other running backs means the coaching staff certainly sees his potential and the front office is concerned he’d be poached if placed on the practice squad.

Lindsay is averaging only 2.6 yards per carry while both Johnson and Burkhead are both very known commodities who are universally considered to be at the later stages of their careers.

At 24 years old, and with only two NFL rushing attempts to his name, Phillips represents the kind of exciting question mark the Texans should be investing in for the rest of the season.

Hopefully the departure of Ingram clears space for Phillips to have an opportunity to sketch his name next to Nico Collins and Jonathan Greenard as Texans’ fans can be excited to see beyond the 2021 campaign.

The Houston running game has done absolutely nothing up to this point and David Culley preaches it should be the foundation of their team. Roll the dice, Houston, and maybe that foundation could become a lot more sturdy.

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Texans vs. Cardinals inactives: RB Scottie Phillips will not play

The Houston Texans released their inactives for Week 7 against the Arizona Cardinals and running back Scottie Phillips is inactive again.

The Houston Texans released their inactives list ahead of their Week 7 encounter with the Arizona Cardinals Sunday at 3:25 p.m. Central Time at State Farm Stadium.

The Texans made running back Scottie Phillips inactive for the sixth time this season. The second-year back from Ole Miss has played just seven special teams snaps this year while the Texans’ run game has gone over 100 yards rushing once since Week 1’s lone victory of the season.

Quarterback Deshaun Watson, tight end Brevin Jordan, cornerback Jimmy Moreland, center Jimmy Morrissey, receiver Davion Davis, and defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson (back) were declared inactive.

For the Cardinals, quarterback Steve Streveler, receiver Andy Isabella, tight end Darrell Daniels, and defensive lineman Rashard Lawrence were declared inactive.

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If Texans are committed to youth movement, they need to play RB Scottie Phillips

The Houston Texans are going with younger players, except at running back where second-year Scottie Phillips continues to be stifled.

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.

Texans vs. Colts inactives: DE Charles Omenihu out again

The Houston Texans declared their inactives for Week 6 at the Indianapolis Colts and DE Charles Omenihu was a healthy scratch once again.

The Houston Texans announced their inactives as they prepare to face the Indianapolis Colts for Week 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Center Justin Britt (knee) was declared out on Saturday. Receiver Danny Amendola (thigh) was declared out on Friday.

Joining them among the inactives were defensive end Charles Omenihu, quarterback Deshaun Watson, cornerback Jimmy Moreland, running back Scottie Phillips, receiver Davion Davis, and tight end Brevin Jordan.

For the Colts, quarterback Jacob Eason, safety Andrew Sendejo, tackle Braden Smith, receiver Mike Strachan, defensive end Kemoko Turay, defensive lineman Chris Williams, and running back Jordan Wilkins were declared inactive for Week 6.

Texans continue to neglect youth movement despite lost season

The Houston Texans released WR Anthony Miller, which signals they are neglecting the youth movement despite a season more about process than results.

The Houston Texans released third-year wide receiver Anthony Miller. Houston traded a 2022 fifth-round pick for the former Chicago Bears 2018 second-round pick, along with a 2022 seventh-rounder.Miller was acquired in August from the Chicago Bears in exchange for a 5th round selection in the 2022 draft and was himself selected in the 2nd round by Chicago in 2018.

Miller played two games for the Texans this year, including a performance against the Carolina Panthers’ where he caught rookie quarterback Davis Mills’ only touchdown of the evening. He finished his tenure in Houston with five catches for 23 yards off of 11 targets.

Normally this kind of transaction is not one that you’d bat an eye at. A marginal roster player was passed over in favor of giving opportunity to other men on the team that the coaching staff favors. However, this isn’t your normal case.

The Miller cut represents yet another example of GM Nick Caserio essentially wasting a Day 3 selection on a player that spent very little time with the team. Similarly, the Texans traded a 6th round pick for quarterback Ryan Finley from the Cincinnati Bengals before cutting him during training camp.

This is a small quarrel, however, compared to the larger issue at hand. The Houston Texans are too old. Already the oldest team in the NFL, Miller was the second youngest receiver on the roster (26) behind rookie Nico Collins (21). In a season where making the playoffs seems virtually impossible with Mills at quarterback while starter Tyrod Taylor nurses a hamstring injury, all eyes are on the future of 2022 and beyond in Houston.

Somehow, rather than the future, this coaching staff continues to place emphasis on the present and on veteran presences on the team that have little future value beyond the 2021 season. When asked about why the team cut Miller, head coach David Culley responded that it was redundant to roster both Danny Amendola and Miller simultaneously if Amendola is healthy.

Amendola is 35 years old. He was a free agent until 4 days before the season kickoff against Jacksonville. A signing that is the practical definition of a journeyman filler is one that the coaching staff has decided to place emphasis on. This is a major problem.

The Texans must focus on finding and identifying future contributors for the 2022 and 2023 seasons when, with draft capital from the assumed Deshaun Watson trade, they will have a chance to return to relevance. The identification of this young talent is imperative in building any competitive roster in the NFL.

So far, we’ve seen no effort to emphasize youth in Houston. Amendola won the war against a younger, more talented slot receiver in Miller. Scottie Phillips is inactive every week while veterans Mark Ingram and Phillip Lindsay struggle to create anything on the ground. Brevin Jordan has not played a single snap yet in his young NFL career.

It’s becoming frustrating to watch this team again and again emphasize veteran presence and culture in a movement that will ultimately amount to nothing moving beyond this season. The veteran contributors currently seeing snaps in season are unlikely to play any part in the Texans returning to the top of the AFC South and the Super Bowl conversation.

Houston is due for a youth movement if they hope to be competitive anytime in the near future. It is a fallacy to continue to place value in the 2021 season and imperative that the front office identify what can only be called a “sunk cost.” Fans can only hope that the staff on Kirby Drive takes the time to realize this soon.

Why are the Texans carrying five running backs in today’s pass happy NFL?

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio provided a reason why the team is carrying five running backs on their active roster.

There is one curious aspect to the Houston Texans’ roster.

In an age where the NFL is more favorable to pass-heavy offenses, the Texans have staked their success on the run game, and are carrying five running backs on the roster in Mark Ingram, Phillip Lindsay, David Johnson, Rex Burkhead, and Scottie Phillips.

It would be like a modern office insisting that all physical documents be copied by mimeograph rather than even scanning them with a smart phone.

For general manager Nick Caserio, the heaviness at running back is more about roster construction getting out of cut day, and working with the fluidity of NFL rosters at this particular juncture of the season.

“One thing that you have to factor in is when you release a player off the roster and you put them on a waiver wire, you’re exposing them and you may or may not be able to get that player back,” Caserio said. “I wouldn’t say that’s always the case of why you keep a player on the roster. I would say other players earned the opportunity to be on the roster with their performance. You’re looking at both the short term and maybe thinking about a year from now.”

Caserio did make a humorous remark that the Texans “can’t put five running backs on the field unless we’re going to run the wishbone like Oklahoma did.”

Said Caserio: “Everyone thinks we are, but we’re not. You can only take so many to a game, so it’s about how you keep your depth on the roster, do you carry it off the roster, do you put it on the practice squad. That’s probably more the thought process than we want 26 running backs on the team.”

What is also curious about the Texans having five running backs on the active roster is they only have three tight ends in Jordan Akins, Pharaoh Brown, and rookie Brevin Jordan. Not even combo fullback-tight end Paul Quessenberry made the final roster, although he has been stashed on the practice squad along with fellow tight end Antony Auclair.

Texans RB Scottie Phillips says his fiancée found out he made the team before he did

RB Scottie Phillips says that his fiancée was the first to find out that he made the Houston Texans’ 53-man roster.

Scottie Phillips may have been first when it came to rushing yards for the Houston Texans in the preseason, but he wasn’t first when it came to the news that he made the team.

The former undrafted free agent from Ole Miss says that his fiancée, Brittani Powe, was the first to know that he made the Texans’ 53-man roster.

“Actually, my fiancé found out before me,” Phillips said. “I don’t know she found out, but she is the one who told me.”

After one of the longest 25-hour stretches of Phillips’ life, the wait was over. However, he didn’t celebrate much, despite all of the congratulatory texts from his agent, family, friends, and former coaches.

“I plan on doing it this weekend with my family,” said Phillips. “Go back home and celebrate a little bit.”

The 5-8, 209-pound running back says he is “grateful” to be on the Texans’ roster, and seeks to be one of the hardest workers on the team.

Said Phillips: “I feel like I am a back that can do a lot of good things. I can catch the ball, I can run it well and like you said I’m very confident in my abilities and for me it was just trusting the process and trusting the coaches and taking advantage of every opportunity I got.”

The Texans also have Pro Bowlers David Johnson, Mark Ingram, and Phillip Lindsay on the roster. Houston is also counting on former New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead to carry the load.

Phillips appeared in eight games last season, rushing twice for nine yards and catching a 7-yard pass. The 23-year-old also proved his versatility on special teams with five kickoffs returned for 96 yards, the longest return going for 26. Phillips played 109 special teams snaps last season compared to nine on offense.