The Houston Texans are working to get past Arian Foster who will be out for the foreseeable future thanks to injury. While the Texans are being linked to several free agent options after taking a serious look at Pierre Thomas, they are aiming to first see if the depth they have at the position is enough to get them through the season. After the team's first preseason game, Alfred Blue looks like he could be the real deal for the Texans.
In the team's first preseason game, the run game was on display against the San Francisco 49ers. Blue got the start and put up 59 yards on nine carries, looking very poised to earn the starting role. Head coach Bill O'Brien recognized that a free agent addition could be in the future, but after seeing Blue take advantage of the opportunity, the Texans run game should be just fine without Foster or anyone else.
"Him going in there and having a decent run here and there was a good thing," O'Brien said, via the team website. "I think there are some things with all those back that we just have to continue to improve on."
Blue is not the only talented back the Texans appear to have on the roster. Kenny Hilliard and Chris Polk both made their cases to see plenty of time on the field. The combined for 68 yards on 23 carries in the first preseason game. Polk appears to be the favorite of the rookie as Blue will get the majority of the action from here on out. O'Brien called Polk a good three-down back which means Houston has a solid three-headed rushing attack even with Foster out for the future.
The run game is not the only thing impressing for the Houston. Newly drafted Jaelen Strong and free agent addition Cecil Shorts both had strong preseason debuts for the Texans, each grabbing a touchdown pass. With questions still remaining at the quarterback position, having Strong and Shorts look good in their debuts is a positive sign for Houston.
Ryan Mallett and Brian Hoyer continue to battle it out on the field to earn the starting nod. Both quarterbacks looked good against the 49ers. According to the Houston Chronicle, Mallett will get the start once again in the second preseason game which could be a sign that the Texans are moving forward with him under center, but Hoyer is still very much alive in the race.
