The Houston Texans run game struggled to produce a 100-yard rusher until Week 10, the second game starter Dameon Pierce missed with an ankle injury.
Running back Devin Singletary had a career game in the Texans’ 30-27 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. The reserve generated 30 carries for 150 yards and a touchdown.
With a tally that high, the question becomes: What happens to Pierce?
According to Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, one big game from Singletary doesn’t alter their outlook on Pierce or the running back roles.
“Yeah, nothing has changed,” Slowik told reporters Nov. 16. “I’ve kind of been saying this for a while — I really believe in having guys that can distribute carries. I think that keeps you fresh as the game keeps going, especially through the course of a season.”
While the Texans rode Singletary with 30 carries last week, Slowik emphasized that type of production has a toll on a back throughout the season.
“You have 30 carries in multiple games, that adds up fast, and we don’t want to put that on any one player, so it really won’t be any different than it was before,” said Slowik. “I know ‘D.P.’ [Pierce] is working his tail off to try to get back as soon as he can. When that happens, we’ll roll.”
Houston gets back in action in Week 11 against the Arizona Cardinals for 12:00 p.m. Central Time kickoff from NRG Stadium.
