In Sunday's loss to the Falcons, the Texans mustered 54 rushing yards on 17 carries.
According to Bill O'Brien, those numbers must change.
"We really need to work on the running game," the head coach said on Monday. "We've got to be able to run the football."
In the win over Tampa Bay, Alfred Blue carried 31 times for 139 yards. As an offense, the Texans ran the ball 46 times. They were on the field for 36:16.
In the three losses this year, the Texans have averaged 20.3 carries per contest. They held the ball for 24:41, 27:31 and 24:08 respectively in those three losses to the Chiefs, Panthers and Falcons.
"What's happened is, especially yesterday, we fell behind," O'Brien said. "It became more of a two-minute type of game early in the game. We were in more of a no huddle mode and trying to get back in the game, which obviously we really didn't do."
Arian Foster returned from a groin injury and caught a 15-yard pass on the Texans' first offensive play. He then carried for two yards and three yards before Ryan Mallett was picked off. On the day, Foster gained 10 yards on eight carries, and three passes for 25 yards. Physically, both Foster and O'Brien were positive about the Pro Bowler's health.
"I came out fine," Foster said.
The head coach reiterated that on Monday, saying Foster "should be ready" for the Thursday-nighter against Indianapolis.
The Texans will practice on Tuesday at the Houston Methodist Training Center.
The Houston Texans roster in photos.
DL, Thomas Booker, #56
TE, Pharaoh Brown, #85
RB, Rex Burkhead, #28
OL, A.J. Cann, #60
LB, Blake Cashman, #53
DL, Maliek Collins, #96
WR, Nico Collins, #12
WR, Brandin Cooks, #13
OL, Austin Deculus, #76
WR, Phillip Dorsett, #4
DL, Michael Dwumfour, #50
K, Ka'imi Fairbairn, #7
OL, Kenyon Green, #59.
DL, Rasheem Green, #92
DL, Jonathan Greenard, #52
LB, Kamu Grugier-Hill, #51
FB, Troy Hairston, #34
LB, Jake Hansen, #49
DL, Demone Harris, #94
OL, Charlie Heck, #67
LB, Neville Hewitt, #43
DL, Kurt Hinish, #93
TE, O.J. Howard, #83
OL, Tytus Howard, #71
DL, Jerry Hughes, #55
WR, Tyler Johnson, #14
P, Cameron Johnston, #11
TE, Brevin Jordan, #9
DB, Desmond King II, #25
LB, Christian Kirksey, #58
DL, Roy Lopez, #91
OL, Justin McCray, #64
QB, Davis Mills, #10
WR, Chris Moore, #15
OL, Jimmy Morrissey, #79
DB, Eric Murray, #23
DB, Steven Nelson, #21
RB, Dare Ogunbowale, #33
DL, Ogbo Okoronkwo, #45
DB, Jonathan Owens, #36
RB, Dameon Pierce, #31
DB, Jalen Pitre, #5
OL, Scott Quessenberry, #54
LB, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, #44
DB, Tremon Smith, #1.
DB, M.J. Stewart, #29
DB, Derek Stingley Jr., #24
OL, Laremy Tunsil, #78
LB, Garret Wallow, #32
LS, Jon Weeks #46
An image from the Aug 19, 2022 preseason week 2 game between the Houston Texans and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, CA.
