Burkhead caught three of five targets for 10 yards and did have a rushing attempt in Sunday's 31-3 loss to the Jaguars in Week 17.
Analysis: Burkhead maintains a minor presence in the backfield, largely due to his ability has a receiver. He has a career-high 49 targets, which is not surprising given that Houston often plays from behind. As for rushing, Burkhead hasn't carried the ball in the last three games, as Royce Freeman and Dare Ogunbowale have been the main fill-ins for Dameon Pierce (ankle).
Jan 2, 2023 7:36 AM EST
Burkhead caught two of two targets for seven yards and recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown in Saturday's 19-14 win over Tennessee in Week 16.
Analysis: For the second straight week and fourth time in the last five games, Burkhead did not get a rushing attempt. Since Dameon Pierce's season-ending ankle injury, the Texans have used Dare Ogunbowale and Royce Freeman as the main running backs the last two games. The Texans do, however, value Burkhead as a receiving threat, and he was on the field to recover Davis Mills' fumble in the end zone that tied the game in the first quarter. Burkhead ranks fourth on the team with 33 catches.
Dec 26, 2022 7:01 AM EST
Burkhead did not have a carry and caught two of four targets for 17 yards in Sunday's 30-24 overtime loss to the Chiefs.
Analysis: Burkhead was speculated to be in line for more involvement in the running game with starter Dameon Pierce (ankle) inactive, but he was never handed the ball. Instead, he watched Dare Ogunbowale (27 snaps, eight carries, 14 yards) and practice-teamer Royce Freeman (24 snaps, 11 carries, 51 yards) lead the ground attack.
Dec 19, 2022 6:09 AM EST
Burkhead is poised for a bigger role Sunday versus the Chiefs with Dameon Pierce (ankle) ruled out.
Analysis: Burkhead and Dare Ogunbowale are the two healthy running backs on the Texans' active roster, while Gerrid Doaks and Royce Freeman are candidates to be elevated from the practice squad for Week 15. Burkhead appears to be the best bet for carries between the tackles and in short-yardage situations, but he's also averaging just 3.1 yards on his 26 rushes and 5.8 yards on his 29 catches through 12 games this season.
Dec 16, 2022 1:28 PM EST
Burkhead had two carries for minus-3 yards and caught his lone target for five yards in Sunday's 27-23 loss to the Cowboys in Week 14.
Analysis: Burkhead played five snaps -- fewer than Dare Ogunbowale and Eno Benjamin -- but he was the back of choice for a key fourth-quarter drive after Dameon Pierce left with an ankle injury. Following a turnover, Houston had the ball at the Dallas four-yard line with a chance to expand the lead to two scores late in the game. Burkhead had both of his carries during that series, and Houston failed to put any points on the board. Pierce's injury will be the top issue leading up to Sunday's home game against the Chiefs. If he can't go, it will be interesting to see if Burkhead is tapped as the lead back, or if offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton turns to Ogunbowale or Benjamin.
Dec 12, 2022 6:33 AM EST
Burkhead (concussion) isn't listed on the Week 14 injury report ahead of Sunday's matchup with Dallas.
Analysis: Burkhead upgraded to full practice participation last Friday but nonetheless ended up missing a game for the first time this season. His return to the lineup pushes Dare Ogunbowale back to a special teams role, primarily, with Burkhead handling some passing downs while Dameon Pierce presumably continues to dominate carries.
Dec 7, 2022 1:15 PM EST
Burkhead (concussion) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Browns, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Burkhead appeared to be trending toward playing this weekend after he returned to practice Friday as a full participant, but he apparently wasn't able to gain clearance from an independent neurologist, which is the final step for players to exit the NFL's concussion protocol. With Burkhead still stuck in the protocol and thus set to miss his first game of the season, the Texans will turn to Eno Benjamin and Dare Ogunbowale to provide depth behind starter Dameon Pierce.
Dec 4, 2022 8:46 AM EST
Burkhead (concussion) is questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Browns.
Analysis: After logging back-to-back DNPs due to a concussion he suffered in the team's Week 12 loss to Miami, Burkhead returned to practice Friday as a full participant. However, the backup running back is still considered questionable for Week 13. If he's unavailable, Dare Ogunbowale and Eno Benjamin, who was recently claimed off waivers, could be in store for increased roles behind Dameon Pierce during Houston's matchup against Cleveland.
Dec 2, 2022 1:46 PM EST
Burkhead (concussion) is back at practice Friday, Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Burkhead suffered the concussion during the Week 12 loss to Miami and sat out practice Wednesday and Thursday, but he's back on the field for Friday's session. It's unclear whether the 32-year-old has cleared the concussion protocol, leaving his status for Sunday's matchup with the Browns up in the air.
Dec 2, 2022 8:25 AM EST
Burkhead (concussion) isn't practicing Thursday, Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Burkhead has opened Week 13 prep with two straight absences from practice and doesn't look to be trending toward being available Sunday against the Browns. if Burkhead is ruled out for the matchup with Cleveland following Friday's practice, Eno Benjamin could be poised to make his Texans debut as the top backup to starting running back Dameon Pierce.
Dec 1, 2022 8:09 AM EST
Burkhead (concussion) did not participate at practice Wednesday ahead of Sunday's game versus Cleveland, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Analysis: Burkhead was forced out of Sunday's loss at Miami early with a concussion, and he's still awaiting clearance from team physicians to return to football activities. Should he need to sit out in Week 13, Dare Ogunbowale and Eno Benjamin would be in line for complementary roles behind Dameon Pierce.
Nov 30, 2022 1:33 PM EST
Coach Lovie Smith revealed Monday that Burkhead has entered the NFL's five-step concussion protocol, Deepi Sidhu of Texans Radio reports.
Analysis: Burkhead exited Sunday's loss to the Dolphins with a head injury, and he may have suffered a concussion. If Burkhead's unable to pass the concussion protocol prior to facing the Browns in Week 13, Dare Ogunbowale and Eno Benjamin will both be candidates to fill Burkhead's usual change-of-pace role behind Dameon Pierce.
Nov 28, 2022 11:14 AM EST
Burkhead suffered a head injury during the fourth quarter of Sunday's 30-15 loss to the Dolphins in Week 12. He finished with zero carries and caught one of two targets for five yards.
Analysis: Burkhead fell awkwardly after being hit in the air while attempting to catch a pass. Houston head coach Lovie Smith confirmed the running back was being evaluated for a concussion. If the injury lingers into Week 13, Dare Ogunbowale and Eno Benjamin will move up the depth chart.
Nov 27, 2022 5:43 PM EST
Burkhead played a season-low nine snaps and had zero touches in Sunday's 23-10 loss to the Commanders on Week 11.
Analysis: Burkhead's been marginalized, rightly so, by rookie Dameon Pierce, but he's always managed at least one touch or target in a game until Week 11. Eno Benjamin, who the Texans claimed off waivers this past week, was inactive, but he could be ready to back up Pierce by Week 12's road game in Miami.
Nov 21, 2022 6:36 AM EST
Burkhead had one carry for two yards and caught two of two targets for 28 yards in Sunday's 24-16 loss to the Giants in Week 10.
Analysis: Burkhead filled his usual role, occasionally filling in for starter Dameon Pierce on passing downs while playing 16 snaps. He was part of one head-scratching call by offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton, who dialed up a shotgun draw for the veteran on third-and-4 near midfield late in the second quarter, which got stuffed. As long Pierce is healthy, Burkhead will see similar usage going forward.
Nov 14, 2022 6:52 AM EST
Burkhead had one carry for nine yards and caught one of two targets for six yards in Thursday's 29-17 loss to the Eagles in Week 9.
Analysis: Burkhead was on the field for 13 snaps and remains involved to a limited extent. As long as rookie Dameon Pierce is healthy, Burkhead will see duty in passing situations, but his involvement as a runner will be limited. Particularly when Pierce, who ran for 139 yards Thursday, is producing. Following Burkhead's heavy Week 1 workload, the veteran has averaged 17.5 snaps and 1.3 carries over the last seven contests.
Nov 4, 2022 5:40 AM EST
Burkhead did not catch his lone target and did not have a carry in Sunday's 17-10 loss to the Titans in Week 8.
Analysis: Burkhead played a season-low 10 snaps Sunday, although he did out-snap Dare Ogunbowale (three), who had surprising volume in the Week 7 loss to the Raiders. He also was given a pass attempt in the red zone which fell incomplete. Since Burkhead's heavy involvement Week 1, when he played 72 percent of the offensive snaps, he's played 34 percent of the snaps in the following six games.
Oct 31, 2022 5:49 AM EST
Burkhead had two carries for eight yards and caught five of six targets for 11 yards in Sunday's 38-20 loss to the Raiders in Week 7.
Analysis: Houston's running backs played a big part of the passing attack Sunday, garnering 17 targets. Burkhead and Dare Ogunbowale (seven targets) accounted for most of them. Burkhead is typically on the field late in games if Houston is behind and throwing often; however, head coach Lovie Smith deployed Ogunbowale for the team's final drive. It's unclear if there will be a permanent change in the depth chart or the primary pass-catching role out of the backfield, but the usage comes after Houston's bye week, which suggests this may have been planned.
Oct 24, 2022 6:29 AM EST
Burkhead had three carries for 15 yards and caught two of three targets for 13 yards in Sunday's 13-6 win over the Jaguars in Week 5.
Analysis: Burkhead had a season-low 12 snaps (21 percent), as the coaches have become more trusting of lead back Dameon Pierce, who was on the field for the game's decisive drive in the fourth quarter. Burkhead is still around to spell Pierce, but this should be the rookie's team for the rest of the season.
Oct 10, 2022 6:40 AM EST
Burkhead didn't get any rushing attempts, but he caught all five of his targets for 39 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 34-24 loss to the Chargers.
Analysis: Burkhead contributed in the passing game while rookie tailback Dameon Pierce went for 131 yards and a score on the ground. Although not from 75 yards like Pierce's touchdown, Burkhead hauled in an eight-yard score during the third quarter, marking his first end-zone trip of the campaign. The veteran should remain involved as a complementary target out of the backfield in Week 5 versus the Jaguars.
Oct 2, 2022 1:29 PM EST
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