Rex Burkhead News

Burkhead finished the season with zero carries over the final four games. After toting the ball 14 times in the season opener, the Texans quickly turned to rookie Dameon Pierce (ankle) as the lead back. Burkhead had 26 total rushing attempts for 80 yards while catching a career-high 37 passes on 51 targets for 204 yards and a touchdown. That he was limited to receiving duties following Pierce's season-ending ankle injury should indicate his future with the organization, which will be hiring a new head coach for the third consecutive season. Burkhead, who turns 33 in the offseason, becomes a free agent in March and is unlikely to be back with Houston in 2023.

Burkhead maintains a minor presence in the backfield, largely due to his ability has a receiver. He has a career-high 49 targets, which is not surprising given that Houston often plays from behind. As for rushing, Burkhead hasn't carried the ball in the last three games, as Royce Freeman and Dare Ogunbowale have been the main fill-ins for Dameon Pierce (ankle).

For the second straight week and fourth time in the last five games, Burkhead did not get a rushing attempt. Since Dameon Pierce's season-ending ankle injury, the Texans have used Dare Ogunbowale and Royce Freeman as the main running backs the last two games. The Texans do, however, value Burkhead as a receiving threat, and he was on the field to recover Davis Mills fumble in the end zone that tied the game in the first quarter. Burkhead ranks fourth on the team with 33 catches.

Burkhead was speculated to be in line for more involvement in the running game with starter Dameon Pierce (ankle) inactive, but he was never handed the ball. Instead, he watched Dare Ogunbowale (27 snaps, eight carries, 14 yards) and practice-teamer Royce Freeman (24 snaps, 11 carries, 51 yards) lead the ground attack.

Burkhead and Dare Ogunbowale are the two healthy running backs on the Texans' active roster, while Gerrid Doaks and Royce Freeman are candidates to be elevated from the practice squad for Week 15. Burkhead appears to be the best bet for carries between the tackles and in short-yardage situations, but he's also averaging just 3.1 yards on his 26 rushes and 5.8 yards on his 29 catches through 12 games this season.

Burkhead played five snaps -- fewer than Dare Ogunbowale and Eno Benjamin -- but he was the back of choice for a key fourth-quarter drive after Dameon Pierce left with an ankle injury. Following a turnover, Houston had the ball at the Dallas four-yard line with a chance to expand the lead to two scores late in the game. Burkhead had both of his carries during that series, and Houston failed to put any points on the board. Pierce's injury will be the top issue leading up to Sunday's home game against the Chiefs. If he can't go, it will be interesting to see if Burkhead is tapped as the lead back, or if offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton turns to Ogunbowale or Benjamin.