Rex Burkhead has never been the feature back in any of the backfields that have deployed him during his previous nine NFL seasons. However, the Houston Texans have a high opinion of the former Nebraska product.
Burkhead finished the 2021 campaign with 122 carries for 427 yards and three touchdowns. Houston signed Burkhead to a contract extension near the end of the season that will keep him with the club through 2022.
Although the former Cincinnati Bengals 2013 sixth-round running back seems to be a natural candidate for usurpation — whether by reclamation project Marlon Mack or fourth-round rookie Dameon Pierce — the Texans nevertheless kept him around.
According to center Justin Britt, the way that the former Super Bowl champion carries himself is part of the reason Burkhead continues to find utility on the Texans’ roster.
“I think that room is led by a really good running back, Rex Burkhead,” Britt told reporters after the second day of training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center. “He might be one of the most consistent running backs that I’ve been around as far as how they show up and how they come to work. He’s a great role model for them.”
Burkhead recorded the Texans’ lone 100-yard rushing game in 2021 as Houston beat the Los Angeles Chargers 41-29 in Week 16 at NRG Stadium.
Britt admits he is biased towards quarterbacks and running backs as he views them “kind of like our little brothers,” but regardless of who is carrying the ball, Britt will ensure they have the opportunity to advance drives.
“We just want them to get into the open space and score,” said Britt. “So, whoever is back there, we are going to do our best to do that for them.”
Burkhead added 25 catches for 186 yards in the 16 games he played for Houston, five of which he started.
