Texans HC Bill O'Brien said Monday that RB Lamar Miller (chest) is expected back for this weekend's game against the Bills. Miller was active as an emergency option only last night and didn't end up playing. He might return to a committee backfield with Alfred Blue -- and will also need to contend with D'Onta Foreman's eventual return.

Texans RB Lamar Miller (chest) is "not likely to play" against the Cowboys tonight, despite being active, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. It sounds like Miller is dressed as an emergency option only. He should not be in fantasy lineups. Alfred Blue will carry the load in Houston's backfield, making him a volume-based fantasy play.

Texans RB Lamar Miller (chest) is active for tonight’s game against the Cowboys. It’s a surprise after reports this morning had him likely to sit. At less than 100%, Miller’s floor is lower than usual tonight.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Texans are "pessimistic" about RB Lamar Miller's chances of playing Sunday night against the Cowboys. He's officially questionable with a chest injury. Alfred Blue would start if Miller's out.

Texans RB D'Onta Foreman (Achilles) is on track to return in "a few weeks," HC Bill O'Brien said Friday. Foreman is on the PUP list and first eligible to play Week 7. It sounds like he has a shot to be ready then. A healthy Foreman has a shot to carve out a significant role in this backfield -- and maybe even emerge as Houston's lead dog. RB Lamar Miller is averaging just 3.9 yards per carry this season.

Texans HC Bill O'Brien labeled RB Lamar Miller (chest) a game-time decision for Sunday night's tilt with the Cowboys. He was limited in practice all week. It puts fantasy owners in a tough spot with the late kickoff. If you're hoping to start Miller, you need to have backup RB Alfred Blue rostered as insurance. Your best bet is probably to avoid this unproductive backfield.

The Texans have placed RB D'Onta Foreman (Achilles) on the reserve/PUP list. That knocks him out for at least the first 6 games of the season as he continues to work back from last November's torn Achilles. Foreman obviously isn't worth a roster spot in redraft leagues right now, although he'll be a potential in-season waiver wire target. Lamar Miller will open the season as Houston's feature back and will be a strong fantasy play.

Texans RB Lamar Miller dropped weight over the offseason and now checks in around 217 pounds. That's a loss of 8 pounds, per team insider Aaron Wilson. “This past offseason, I tried to change my diet," Miller said. "I cut back on eating red meat. I started focusing more on just eating fish and chicken and eating more vegetables, just trying to get right. I know my last two years at the Dolphins, I was around like 218, 217. So, I figured if I get back to my weight, I would feel much better. Right now, I’ve been feeling good.” Miller, of course, showed much greater big-play ability in Miami. He's largely looked sluggish in Houston, posting YPC totals of 3.7 and 4.0. While his O-line is concerning, a leaner Miller should return RB2 totals -- especially with D'Onta Foreman iffy for Week 1.

Texans GM Brian Gaine admitted that RB D'Onta Foreman (Achilles) is iffy for the start of the regular season. "Work in progress right now, recovering from this injury," Gaine said. "We need a little bit more time to determine if he's going to be ready for the season. We're not there at that stage. We think he's getting better. He's improving, but time will tell whether he's available to us when we kick off." Foreman was placed on the active/PUP list to open training camp, making him eligible for the reserve/PUP. That'd cost him the first 6 games of the regular season. At this point, Foreman seems like a long shot to be an early-season fantasy asset. RB Lamar Miller should open the season in a workhorse role. Check out our updated projections for the Texans backfield.

Texans RB D'Onta Foreman will open training camp on the active/PUP list as he continues rehabbing last November's torn Achilles. Foreman has been setback-free so far, and GM Brian Gaine said earlier this offseason that he expects Foreman to be ready for Week 1. Still, the 2nd-year back will need to get on the field quickly if he wants to push RB Lamar Miller for early-season touches. Foreman is more likely to emerge as a fantasy factor during the 2nd half of the campaign.

Texans HC Bill O'Brien plans to deploy a committee backfield with RBs Lamar Miller and D'Onta Foreman, according to ESPN's Sarah Barshop. Foreman first needs to prove healthy after tearing his Achilles in November. He averaged a decent 4.2 yards per carry before going down. And his last game was his best: a 65-yard, 2-TD effort on 10 carries. Miller, meanwhile, has mustered just 4.0 and 3.7 yards per carry in 2 seasons with the Texans. He should at least remain the team's primary pass-catching back and will be the better early-season fantasy bet. But Foreman could take over as the primary ball-carrier by midseason.

Texans RB Tyler Ervin tore his patellar tendon in Sunday's win over the Titans. That ends his season and could put his availability for the start of the 2018 campaign in doubt. Ervin caught 8 of 11 targets in 4 games, so his absence gives RB Lamar Miller's receiving projection a slight boost.

Texans RB Alfred Blue (ankle) was limited in practice all week and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Patriots. HC Bill O’Brien labeled him “doubtful” on Friday, though. Look for Lamar Miller and D’Onta Foreman to handle backfield duties again for Houston.

Texans RB Alfred Blue (ankle) is out for Sunday’s game against the Jaguars. Rookie D’Onta Foreman figures to serve as the #2 RB, but Lamar Miller will dominate backfield work.

Texas RB D’Onta Foreman was selected by the Texans in the 3rd round of the draft. After spending his first 2 years in Austin as a backup, Foreman exploded in 2016. He carried 323 times for 2,028 yards (6.3 YPC) and 15 scores. No one averaged more than his 184.4 yards per game. Foreman’s efforts earned him the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s top RB. A stress fracture in his foot prevented him from working out at the Combine, but the 6’0, 233-pounder reportedly clocked a 4.45-second 40 time at his Pro Day. That’d give him the class’ 2nd-best Speed Score, behind only Leonard Fournette. Foreman’s tape didn’t blow us away, though, and he caught just 7 passes in last year’s workhorse campaign. He’ll battle for the backup job behind Lamar Miller and is unlikely to threaten for the starting job anytime soon. Miller is just 26 and signed through 2019. Foreman is strictly and draft-and-stash dynasty pick.

Texans HC Bill O'Brien says he wants to avoid the big early rushing workloads that RB Lamar Miller endured in his 1st season with the team. "I think he probably carried it a little bit too much early on," O'Brien told the Houston Chronicle. "We were very, very dependent on him because he's that type of player. We feel like we have a pretty diverse group of running backs so I think in order to get him at his best in January, we probably need to cut down on that early in the year." Miller carried 19+ times in each of the 1st 4 games and 5 of the 1st 6 -- but he also reached 21 carries in each of his final 2 games and then 31 in the Wild Card round win over Oakland. We agree with O'Brien that lightening the rushing load at least a bit should help Miller's efficiency. We'll see whether 2016 rookie Tyler Ervin or any yet-to-arrive RB is ready to play a more significant role in 2017.

Texans RB Lamar Miller (ankle) put in a full week of practice and isn't listed on the final injury report. He's set to play against the Raiders on Saturday and could be as healthy as he's been in a while. Miller carried 24 times for 104 yards and a score vs. Oakland back in Week 11. Expect a similar workload this weekend -- as long as that ankle allows it. Miller has as much upside as any RB not named Le'Veon Bell.

Texans RB Lamar Miller (ankle) is expected to be ready for the 1st round of the playoffs, HC Bill O'Brien said. Houston was able to give him the past 2 games off, so he should be healthier than he's been in a while. With the QB situation in flux, Miller will be the Texans' best chance of moving the ball this postseason.

Texans RB Lamar Miller (ankle) is out for Sunday’s game against the Titans. Houston has nothing to play for in the season finale and will hope to get Miller healthy for the playoff opener. Alfred Blue will serve as the lead back this weekend and is a fine bet for 20+ touches.