RB Blue states his case during preseason
Alfred Blue is making the pending roster decision on running back D’Onta Foreman’s status less complicated.
The backup running back capped a strong preseason with a touchdown run against the Cowboys on Thursday night at NRG Stadium, marking the second week in a row Blue has found the end zone.
One week after rushing for 45 yards and a touchdown against the Rams, Blue burst into the end zone against the Cowboys on a 4-yard score as he followed blocks from Chad Slade and David Quessenberry.
Foreman is not ready to practice, let alone play in a game. The former University of Texas consensus All-American and Doak Walker Award winner is considered likely to start the season on the physically unable to perform list and miss the first six games of the regular season.
The Texans have to gauge whether Foreman could be back by the third or fourth game to make it worthwhile to activate him and carry him on the 53man roster to start the season.
Blue is proving again he is a reliable option behind starter
Lamar Miller. Blue rushed for 18 yards on four carries against the Cowboys. He had a 36-yard run against the Rams.
Blue is proving again that he is a reliable option behind starter Lamar Miller.
Blue rushed for 18 yards on four carries against the Cowboys. He had a 36-yard run against the Rams.
“As a unit, I feel like we did good throughout the preseason,” Blue said. “I feel like as a unit everybody back there ran good when the opportunity was presented to them.”
Signed to a one-year, $880,000 contract that includes a $90,000 signing bonus and $790,000 base salary, Blue drew interest from the Steelers and the Giants, among other NFL teams, as an unrestricted free agent before re-signing with the Texans.
Swanson makes positive impression
Texans rookie running back Terry Swanson hit the end zone in stride Thursday night as he dashed for his first NFL touchdown.
If the Texans wind up cutting the undrafted rookie from Toledo, he made their decision tougher and proved he warrants consideration for a spot on their practice squad.
“This is what I wanted to put on film,” Swanson said after his 37-yard touchdown run in a preseason finale against the Cowboys at NRG Stadium. “The odds are against you being an undrafted free agent. To have something like that happen, it puts you at better odds.I wanted to have an opportunity to show what I can do. I’'s not my decision, but I believe I played well.”
Swanson rushed for 58 yards on 11 carries. The touchdown was a higlight.
“That’s a dream come true, to score your first NFL touchdown,” Swanson said.
Mancz lands contract extension
The Texans have extended backup center Greg Mancz’s contract by two years.
Mancz is a valuable reserve who started every game two seasons ago when center Nick
Martin injured his ankle. Mancz was given the low restricted tender of $1.907 million in March in addition to a $6,880 workout bonus he earned. Mancz is a former undrafted free agent from Toledo.
$2.25 million for Webster
Newly acquired corneback
Kayvon Webster’s one-year contract is worth $2.25 million, according to NFL Players Association figures.
Webster received a $210,000 signing bonus with $500,000 total guaranteed. The Texans guaranteed $290,000 of his $790,000 base salary. He has up to $1.25 million in roster bonuses, with up to $78,125 for every game he’s active on the 46-man game-day roster.
LB Heeney to injured reserve
One day after LB Ben Heeney underwent season-ending ankle surgery and was waived-injured, he cleared waivers.
Heeney is on the Texans’ injured reserve list. The former University of Kansas standout got hurt against the Rams last week.
Receiver Coutee held out of game
Rookie receiver Keke Coutee was held out of the final preseason game against the Cowboys on Thursday night.
The Texans aren’t taking any risks with the fourth-round pick from Texas Tech.
Coutee missed the majority of camp with a strained hamstring.