Lamar Miller was limited in the preseason, but head coach Bill O'Brien is ready to unleash his starting running back on Sunday.
"We want to keep him healthy, but also try to get him some work so he may not have had the flashy stats during the preseason that maybe some other backs had but I don't really care about that," O'Brien said Thursday. "I think that he's ready to play and looking forward to seeing him play on Sunday."
Miller rushed for 50 yards on 14 carries, averaging 3.6 yards per play. Against Arizona, Miller scored on a one-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. He did not play in the final preseason game at Dallas. Now in his fifth NFL season, Miller is the most experienced among the Texans running backs.
O'Brien has been effusive in his praise for Miller, whom he describes as hardworking, smart, and a leader by example. With a new quarterback in Brock Osweiler and a young group of receivers, expectations for Miller and the backs are high in the Texans offense.
"We'd like to use them both in the running game, obviously, and in the passing game," offensive coordinator George Godsey said. "They're certainly a big part of the protection. That's what we talk to the backs about every week. That's one of their goals. Really, each man has their own role that they fit with the team, and the running backs really within the passing and running game. They're involved in everything."
The Texans host the Chicago Bears on Sunday at NRG Stadium. Kickoff is set for noon CT on FOX-26 and SportsRadio 610.
The Houston Texans roster in photos. (Updated 12/29/2020)
ILB, Tyrell Adams #50
TE, Jordan Akins, 88
DT, Auzoyah Alufohai, #98
P, Bryan Anger, 9
CB, Cornell Armstrong, 30
DT, Ross Blacklock #90
DT, Andrew Brown, #97
TE Pharaoh Brown #85
WR, Brandin Cooks #13
WR, Isaiah Coulter #82
WR, Keke Coutee, 16
CB, Keion Crossen, 35
ILB, Zach Cunningham, 41
ILB, Kyle Emanuel, 56
K, Ka'imi Fairbairn, 7
TE, Darren Fells, 87
OL, Zach Fulton, 73
CB, Phillip Gaines #29
OLB, Jonathan Greenard #52
ILB, Nate Hall, 48
WR, Chad Hansen, #17
CB, Vernon Hargreaves III #26
T, Charlie Heck #67
RB, Dontrell Hilliard, #22
RB, Buddy Howell, 38
RB, David Johnson #31
RB, Duke Johnson, 25
CB, Lonnie Johnson, Jr., 32
T, Roderick Johnson #63
OLB, Peter Kalambayi, 58
OL, Senio Kelemete, 64
LB, Jacob Martin, 54
C, Nick Martin, 66
QB, AJ McCarron #2
QB, Josh McCown, 3
S, A.J. Moore, 33
DE, Charles Omenihu, 94
S, Jonathan Owens, 36
RB, Scottie Phillips, #40
DE C.J. Prosise #24
G/T Brent Qvale #76
WR, Damion Ratley, #19
CB, John Reid #34
OLB, Brennan Scarlett, 57
OL, Max Scharping, 74
OL, Laremy Tunsil, 78
TE, Kahale Warring, 81
DL, Carlos Watkins, 91
QB, Deshaun Watson, 4
DE, J.J. Watt, 99
LS, Jon Weeks #46
