TEXANS NEWS
Texans agree to contract extension with RB, per sources
Jan 7, 2022, 3:04 pm
TEXANS NEWS
According to ESPN's Sarah Barshop, the Texans and running back Rex Burkhead have agreed to a contract extension.
The Texans have signed RB Rex Burkhead to a contract extension through the 2022 season, sources tell ESPN.
— Sarah Barshop (@sarahbarshop) January 7, 2022
Burkhead will be 32 years old next season, so the Texans still need to find a younger long-term option at some point this offseason. The details of the extension are still unknown, but he is currently being paid a little under $1.4 million for this season, per Spotrac. Burkhead has been mentioned favorably by GM Nick Caserio recently, so this extension doesn't come as a surprise.
Rex Burkhead took over as the Texans’ starting running back in Week 11, carrying the ball 103 times in the last seven weeks. Houston’s offensive line hasn’t helped, as he has averaged 3.63 yards per carry in that span.
— Sarah Barshop (@sarahbarshop) January 7, 2022
The Houston Texans have a big challenge in store as they look to start the season with a win against the Colts this Sunday. When these two teams met in Week 2 last year, the Colts dominated the Texans, despite losing their QB Anthony Richardson to a concussion after the first quarter.
Keeping Richardson contained on Sunday will go a long way in increasing the Texans' chances of coming home with a win. The Texans defense will have their hands full containing the Colts backs and tight ends in the passing game.
Scoring touchdowns with their wide receivers could prove difficult, as the Texans allowed the second-fewest TDs (10) to the receiver position in 2023.
Limiting running back Jonathan Taylor will also be a top priority. While the Texans had an elite defense against the run last season, they struggled with Taylor in Week 18 as he almost rushed for 200 yards.
Houston's D allowed only four carries to running backs in 2023 that went for 20 or more yards. Two of which were to Taylor in the final game of the regular season.
Finally, DeMeco Ryans and company have to find a way to get pressure on the QB. They only had one QB hit and zero sacks on Richardson and Garner Minshew the first time they faced off last year.
On offense, the Texans have two big x-factors to watch for on Sunday. The offensive line that suited up to play the Colts in Week 2 last season is completely different from this year.
The o-line was ravaged with injuries to start the 2023 campaign, so we expect a big jump in productivity in the trenches this year.
Another big addition in 2024 is the presence of running back Joe Mixon. The running game only produced 2 yards per rush in Week 2 against Indy last year, so there's clearly room for improvement.
Be sure to watch the video above for our in-depth preview of Texans-Colts!
And catch Texans on Tap (a Texans podcast) live on our SportsMapTexans YouTube channel following every game this season!