Rex Burkhead has built a reputation for versatility: catching passes, running the football, blocking and operating on special teams.
Texans general manager Nick Caserio has an extensive background with Caserio from their shared time with the New England Patriots.
Although Burkhead is still recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered last season during a Patriots loss at NRG Stadium, the Texans felt comfortable enough to sign him to a one-year, $1.5 million contract. He's due a $1.125 million nonguaranteed base salary and received a $125,000 signing bonus and up to $250,000 in per game active roster bonuses worth $14,705 per game and a salary-cap figure of $1.397 million, according to NFL Players Association records.
A former Cincinnati Bengals sixth-round draft pick from Nebraska, Burkhead rushed for 274 yards and three touchdowns last season as he averaged 4.1 yards per carry. He caught 25 passes for 192 yards last season and three scores. For his career, the Plano native has rushed for 1,401 yards and 14 scores and caught 130 passes for 1,144 yards and eight touchdowns.
The Texans, who also have running backs David Johnson, Phillip Lindsay, Mark Ingram, Buddy Howell, Dontrell Hilliard and Scottie Phillips on the roster, envision an extremely competitive situation with Burkhead a part of the battle.
“Rex has been a good football player during his career," Texans coach David Culley said. "Basically, when there are good football players out there and you have a chance to be able to bring them and be a part of what you’re doing and what you’re trying to build, you do that.
"Obviously, Nick had some background with him. We all know what he’s been in this league and we had an opportunity to get him to add to the mix and we added him to the mix. I’m happy to have him here with us and to get right in the mix of what we’re doing with the competition at that position also.”
Aaron Wilson has covered the NFL for 20 seasons, including the Texans, Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars. He has previously written for The Houston Chronicle and The Baltimore Sun. He’s on Twitter: @AaronWilson_NFL and Instagram: @aaronwilson7128.