Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Earl Campbell likes running back D’Onta Foreman, but believes the only way he can help the Houston Texans is if he is in the best shape.
Campbell spoke with Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle and weighed in on how the former Texas Longhorn and 2016 Doak Walker Award winner can be useful to the AFC South champions in 2019.
“I think not only is D’Onta a great running back for what he did at UT, but the head coach [Bill O’Brien] with the Texans really likes him,” said Campbell. “I think D’Onta has proven he can play, but the thing he has to do is make sure he’s in the best shape. I think if he does that, the Texans will see he’ll have a great year next year.”
Foreman did not see any action for the Texans until Week 16 in a 32-30 loss at the Philadelphia Eagles. The Texas City native’s philosophy throughout his rehabilitation from a torn Achilles that summarily ended his rookie season was to get to a point where he would could help the team, not hamper them. For the former 2017 third-round pick, it meant tallying seven carries for minus-1 yard and catching two passes for 28 yards and a touchdown.
With starting running back Lamar Miller entering the final year of his contract and pushing 30 years old, the Texans will be evaluating options to get younger and better at the running back spot. Foreman’s injury from his rookie season is part of the hiccup in the transition and why the club make look outside NRG Park for solutions.
