The Texans have made the big move of the day, releasing D’Onta Foreman. Hold off on those Lamar Miller obits, at least for now.
A third round pick in 2017, Foreman was supposed to be Houston’s starting running back by now. He ran for 2,028 yards his final season at Texas, and he showed some breakaway ability as a rookie, using his size and speed to bust loose on some long gainers.
But Foreman tore his Achilles late in his rookie season, then spent most of his second season rehabbing.
The Texans gave up on him today, placing him on waivers. No doubt he’ll get looks from other teams, but he’s done in Houston.
This leaves Houston with pretty much just Lamar Miller at tailback. He’s 28 and entering the final season of his contract. He’s averaged 60 rushing and 16 receiving yards in the 30 games he’s started the last two years, with 12 TDs. Behind him, they have a few lightly regarded prospects – Damarea Crockett, Buddy Howell and Josh Ferguson weren’t even drafted coming into the league.
The Texans have the 2nd-most cap space in the league, and I’m figuring they’ll add another notable body to their backfield before long. If the Chargers have any interest in trading Melvin Gordon, the Texans are the team they would call. Duke Johnson wants out of Cleveland; that’s another team that could call.
I don’t think there’s any way the Texans would go into the season with just Miller and lightly regarded youngsters at tailback. They need to add somebody.
Foreman’s career isn’t over. This may serve as a wakeup call for him. But he doesn’t look particularly likely to win a No. 2 tailback job in 2019. But for now, add him to the lengthy list of players who thrived at the college level but were unable to reach greatness in the pros.
There’s a website with sortable college stats, Sports-Reference.com. They list the 31 college running backs who’ve run for over 2,000 yards.
Only 14 of those players went on to run for over 1,000 yards in an NFL season.
2,000-YARD RUSHERS | |||
---|---|---|---|
Player | Yards | Year | School |
• Barry Sanders | 2,628 | 1988 | Oklahoma State |
• Melvin Gordon | 2,587 | 2014 | Wisconsin |
Kevin Smith | 2,567 | 2007 | Central Florida |
• Marcus Allen | 2,427 | 1981 | Southern Cal |
Rashaad Penny | 2,248 | 2017 | San Diego State |
• Derrick Henry | 2,219 | 2015 | Alabama |
Jonathan Taylor | 2,194 | 2018 | Wisconsin |
Troy Davis | 2,185 | 1996 | Iowa State |
Andre Williams | 2,177 | 2013 | Boston College |
• LaDainian Tomlinson | 2,158 | 2000 | Texas Christian |
• Tony Dorsett | 2,150 | 1976 | Pitt |
• Mike Rozier | 2,148 | 1983 | Nebraska |
Donnel Pumphrey | 2,133 | 2016 | San Diego State |
• Matt Forte | 2,127 | 2007 | Tulane |
• Ricky Williams | 2,124 | 1998 | Texas |
Bryce Love | 2,118 | 2017 | Stanford |
Ron Dayne | 2,109 | 1996 | Wisconsin |
• Larry Johnson | 2,087 | 2002 | Penn State |
Donald Brown | 2,083 | 2008 | Connecticut |
• Lorenzo White | 2,066 | 1985 | Michigan State |
Damien Anderson | 2,063 | 2000 | Northwestern |
• Rashaan Salaam | 2,055 | 1994 | Colorado |
Charles White | 2,050 | 1979 | Southern Cal |
Tevin Coleman | 2,036 | 2014 | Indiana |
Ron Dayne | 2,034 | 1999 | Wisconsin |
D'Onta Foreman | 2,028 | 2016 | Texas |
• Christian McCaffrey | 2,019 | 2015 | Stanford |
J.J. Arrington | 2,018 | 2004 | California |
• Ray Rice | 2,012 | 2007 | Rutgers |
Troy Davis | 2,010 | 1995 | Iowa State |
Byron Hanspard | 2,000 | 1996 | Texas Tech |
—Ian Allan