Devin Singletary News

The Houston Texans are signing former Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary to a one-year contract, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Singletary operated as the Bills' primary back for the past three seasons, but always ceded carries to other backs while surrendering goal-line opportunities to quarterback Josh Allen. He'll get a fresh start with the Texans, whose backfield behind Dameon Pierce appears to be wide open. Singletary never handled more than 188 carries in a single season for the Bills' pass-happy offense, and could mix in with Pierce for opportunities in 2023. He finished the 2022 season with 177 carries for 819 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Per Schefter, Singletary's deal with Houston is worth up to $3.75 million. During the 2022 season with the Bills, Singletary carried 177 times for 819 yards and five touchdowns, while adding 38 catches for 280 yards and a receiving score on 52 targets. With the Texans, Singletary will team up with 2022 fourth-rounder Dameon Pierce (ankle) to give the team a solid 1-2 backfield punch this coming season. As long as Pierce can stay healthy, he figures to lead the way, but even in a complementary role Singletary should see enough volume out of Houston's backfield to yield fantasy utility in 2023.

Singletary trailed quarterback Josh Allen in both carries and rushing yards despite snowy conditions resulting in struggles in the passing game. Furthermore, Allen scored Buffalo's lone touchdown of the contest, sneaking in from one yard. Although he contributed with a handful of catches, it was another lukewarm performance from Singletary, who is now slated to become an unrestricted free agent after totaling 1,099 scrimmage yards and six scores on 215 touches this season.

Singletary garnered two fewer carries than rookie James Cook, who also had a 12-yard rushing touchdown during the first quarter. Despite Cook's involvement, though, Singletary still led Buffalo in yards on the ground. As the Bills now advance to the AFC divisional round, expect Singletary and Cook to continue to split snaps in the Bills' backfield.

Singletary split carries with James Cook, which could remain the case in the wild-card round against the Dolphins. The former didn't help his chances of an increased workload with a third-quarter fumble, which set the Patriots up with an instant red-zone opportunity in a tie game. Singletary wraps up his fourth NFL regular season with 819 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 177 attempts, as well as 38 catches for 280 yards and one touchdown on 52 targets.

Singletary recorded a critical 33-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter that gave the Bills a lead they wouldn't relinquish. The fourth-year pro was efficient on his other carries as well, gaining 73 efficient yards on his other 11 totes. Singletary has double-digit carries in six of his last seven games, but the 100-yard effort was his first since Week 17 against the Falcons a year ago. Singletary will next look to solve the talented Bengals defense in a Week 17 road showdown on Monday night, Jan. 2.