Rex

Burkhead

Burkhead wasn’t on an NFL roster in 2023. The former sixth-round pick carved out a solid NFL career for himself, winning a Super Bowl ring in 2018 with the Patriots while totaling more than 3,400 yards from scrimmage in his career. Burkhead didn’t see significant playing time until his fourth season as a pro but became a key member of the Patriots’ offense during his four seasons with the team. Burkhead averaged 45.9 yards per game in 41 regular season games during that span and totaled 58 yards on nine touches in the Super Bowl.

Williams appeared in one game for the Falcons last season and took two carries for two whole yards. The 31-year-old vet was let go in mid-December and didn’t garner much attention this offseason prior to last week’s visit with the Cardinals. Even if he signs with the Raiders, it’s unlikely Williams will secure a spot on the 53-man roster. In addition to Williams, the Raiders also met with 33-year-old Rex Burkhead.

A free agent in March, Burkhead seems to appeal only to Nick Caserio at this point. Even though he turns 33 in July -- we can’t believe we’re typing this -- he held a roster spot all season and was Houston’s primary passing downs back. A rational organization would have moved on from Burkhead by now. The Texans may yet again reward him with a one-year extension if Caserio remains in charge. At least he’ll have fresh legs since he finished with just 26 carries on the season.

Targeted on a key fourth-down go inside the Jacksonville red zone, Burkhead was not close to catching the ball. He would have been better off falling on a fumble in the end zone, as he did last week. Burkhead continues to generate targets from Davis Mills, but that’s about it.

There is no reason to explain the touchdown that Burkhead scored in any way other than “the most Texans touchdown of the season.” He has retained his third-down role, that has no fantasy value outside of being weirdly relied on in key situations. One of his targets was a red-zone checkdown. It’s a fortunate twist for the Burkhead bestballers.

He didn’t attempt a rush. Burkhead is strictly a third-down back at this point. He is a frequent Davis Mills target when Mills is on the field, and that happened enough today for Burkhead to finish third on the team in targets. Houston’s season is almost over.

NFL insider Aaron Wilson described Pierce’s injury as a “relatively mild high ankle sprain.” The rookie suffered no structural damage to his ankle, per Wilson. Pierce went down in Week 14 against the Cowboys after rushing 22 times for 78 yards and a score. It looks like the Texans, who curiously waived Eno Benjamin on Tuesday morning, will be left with Rex Burkhead and Dare Ogunbowale as their primary running backs for the next week or two. Burkhead shapes up as the likely lead back. Tell you friends and family: Burkhead szn has arrived once again. The veteran should be picked up in deep fantasy leagues this week.

It’s a strange move by Houston, as Dameon Pierce is expected to miss at least one week with a high ankle sprain. Benjamin’s release makes Rex Burkhead and Dare Ogunbowale the team’s main backs going forward. Both guys can be claimed as desperation fantasy options this week.

He and Dare Ogunbowale mostly split Houston’s backup reps before Dameon Pierce left due to an ankle injury, at which point Rex Burkhead hilariously rushed twice for negative-three yards on goal-to-go. It would be hard to figure out who would start here if Pierce was lost for extended time, but Benjamin is the back with the most recent NFL success.

He was questionable on the report after getting in a full practice on Friday, but the Texans opted to play it safe. Dare Ogunbowale will likely be Houston’s main passing downs back, while Eno Benjamin is active for the first time in a Texans uniform. Also inactive for the Texans are WR Brandin Cooks (calf), CB Derek Stingley Jr. (hamstring), TE O.J. Howard, DL Thomas Booker, and OL Austin Deculus.