Jonathan Grimes has a unique skillset.
The fifth-year running back for the Texans turned in a fine performance on Sunday against the Packers, carrying five times for 43 yards and also contributing on special teams. Bill O'Brien said Grimes is invaluable.
"If there's a bunch of situational plays in the game, he's going to come up big for us," the head coach said
Thursday. "He's done that for a few years now. He's come up big for us on special teams. He's come up big for us on third down. He does certain things on first and second down, two-minute drill. I mean the guy does a little bit of everything for us and that's a guy that is very valuable to a pro football team."
Grimes twice found enough yardage on a 3rd-and-long situation at Green Bay, and helped the Texans offense move the chains for a first down. On the year, he's averaging 6.2 yards per carry in spot duty for Houston. But he said it's his offensive line that deserved the praise, not him.
"I can't take any credit for that," Grimes said. "Come on: it's the line. The o-line was moving people, and I just found my hole. I was just doing my job."
Grimes is part of a ground game that's chewed up at least 100 yards or more in each of the last seven contests. That mark is the second longest in the NFL, and O'Brien said the running back corps is a diverse one.
"Every guy that we put in there has a different skillset," O'Brien said. "Everybody has got a different skillset. Some guys are bigger than others. Some guys are a little quicker. Some guys are different pass receiving types of backs. Some guys can play on the perimeter of the formation."
The Texans rank 5th in the NFL in rushing yards per game in 2016, with 121.2.
The Houston Texans roster in photos. (Updated 3/2/2021)
ILB, Tyrell Adams #50
TE, Jordan Akins, 88
DT, Auzoyah Alufohai, #98
P, Bryan Anger, 9
CB, Cornell Armstrong, 30
C/G, Beau Benzschawel #62
DT, Ross Blacklock #90
ILB, Curtis Bolton #47
DT, Andrew Brown, #97
TE Pharaoh Brown #85
C, Cohl Cabral #72
WR, Randall Cobb #18
ILB, Dylan Cole, 51
CB, Gareon Conley, 22
WR, Brandin Cooks #13
WR, Isaiah Coulter #82
WR, Keke Coutee, 16
CB, Keion Crossen, 35
ILB, Zach Cunningham, 41
DE, Brandon Dunn, 92
OLB, Duke Ejiofor, 53
ILB, Kyle Emanuel, 56
K, Ka'imi Fairbairn, 7
TE, Darren Fells, 87
G, Hjalte Froholdt #77
OL, Zach Fulton, 73
CB, Phillip Gaines #29
FB, Cullen Gillaspia, 44
OLB, Jonathan Greenard #52
ILB, Nate Hall, 48
NT, P.J. Hall #96
WR, Chad Hansen, #17
CB, Vernon Hargreaves III #26
T, Charlie Heck #67
RB, Dontrell Hilliard, #22
OL, Tytus Howard, 71
RB, Buddy Howell, 38
RB, David Johnson #31
CB, Lonnie Johnson, Jr., 32
T, Roderick Johnson #63
LS, Anthony Kukwa #45
LB, Jacob Martin, 54
QB, AJ McCarron #2
LB, Benardrick McKinney, 55
OLB, Whitney Mercilus, 59
WR, Steven Mitchell, Jr., 11
S, A.J. Moore, 33
S Eric Murray #23
DE, Charles Omenihu, 94
S, Jonathan Owens, 36
RB, Scottie Phillips, #40
G/T Brent Qvale #76
WR, Damion Ratley, #19
CB, John Reid #34
S, Justin Reid, 20
OLB, Brennan Scarlett, 57
OL, Max Scharping, 74
S, Michael Thomas #28
TE, Kahale Warring, 81
DL, Carlos Watkins, 91
QB, Deshaun Watson, 4
LS, Jon Weeks #46
