Will Mark Ingram be the Texans’ starting running back?
The Houston Texans have an impressive collection of running backs on their roster.
David Johnson earned an All-Pro selection in 2016, Mark Ingram is is a three-time Pro Bowler, and fourth-year Phillip Lindsay, who earned a Pro Bowl in his rookie season with the Denver Broncos in 2018, also has two seasons rushing for 1,000 yards or greater.
Although the potential is unknown, Houston also has Dontrell Hilliard, Scottie Phillips, Buddy Howell, and Rex Burkhead on the roster.
Who will be the Texans’ starting running back in 2021?
According to Maurice Jones-Drew from NFL.com, Ingram gets the nod due to his familiarity with first-year coach David Culley, who was with the Baltimore Ravens the last two seasons, the same as Ingram.
We could see a lot of different scenarios play out in Houston, but I’m riding with Mark Ingram as the starter due to his familiarity with head coach David Culley, who coached Ingram with the Ravens for the past two seasons. Ingram has been a productive running back for the past decade. Phillip Lindsay, who mutually agreed to part ways with Denver this offseason, will also get a decent-sized role in this offense. The fourth-year pro has a dogged mentality and the determination to find success no matter the situation. David Johnson can do everything, but he had a chance to be the guy in Houston last year and didn’t do much with it (147 carries, 691 yards, six TDs in 12 games). Expect his touches to be limited along with Rex Burkhead‘s. The former Patriot could see some action on third down and between the tackles.
The Texans could start out with Ingram, but they need to ride the hot hand. If Ingram, who is 31 years old and rushed for just 299 yards through 11 games last year, starts to show diminished production, the Texans need to put in another running back to get the job done.
