The Houston Texans are looking to add running back depth among a competitive group in camp. After waiving D'Onta Foreman on Sunday, Houston has five running backs remaining on the roster.
"I think any time you're trying to make a decision in the best interest of the team," O'Brien said. "We've got some guys that are playing pretty good at that position and we had a need at some other positions. That's just what we decided to do. We wish D'Onta the best. He's a good guy, he's got talent, and we wish him the best."
Lamar Miller, Damarea Crockett, Josh Ferguson, Karan Higdon Jr., Buddy Howell and fullback Cullen Gillaspia are all currently full participants in training camp. Miller, in his fourth season with the Texans and eighth in the NFL, has solidified his role as the starter.
"I think Lamar (Miller) ran well," O'Brien said. "I think that we were able to run the ball decently today. I think our passing game was a work in progress. But I think that the young guys ran well. I thought Taiwan (Jones) had a couple of runs, so yeah, I thought it was decent."
Miller is coming off a Pro Bowl season after accumulating 1,163 yards from scrimmage (973 rushing yards, 163 receiving yards) and scoring six touchdowns through 14 games in 2018.
In addition to their skillsets in the run game, running backs that contribute on special teams have the best chance of making the team, according to O'Brien. Each back brings a different style of running the ball, making the position group one to watch closely through training camp and preseason.
"I think that it's a very competitive position," O'Brien said. "Very competitive. You've got to work hard, you've got to show up every day, you've got to contribute on special teams."
The Texans held their first of two joint practices with the Packers on Monday at the Don Hutson Center in Green Bay.
