The Texans signed veteran running back Rex Burkhead on Friday to a one-year contract extension with a total value of $3 million through the 2022 season, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.
Burkhead rushed for a career-high 149 yards against the Los Angeles Chargers in an upset victory. He also scored two touchdowns.
Emerging as the Texans' primary running back for the NFL's last-ranked running game since supplanting David Johnson after Mark Ingram was traded to the New Orleans Saints, Burkhead averaged 6.8 yards per run against the Chargers and was named the FedEx Ground Player of the Week.
Burkhead, 31, is the Texans' leading rusher with 403 yards and three touchdown runs. He has caught 22 passes for 144 yards.
“My running style, I try to be patient,” Burkhead said after the Chargers game. “Try to let things develop and hit it when I need to hit it. Try to change it up, of course. You can't just be one-dimensional or guys are going to key on you. I try to mix it up.
“My dad was a running back growing up. He always preached to me about being versatile. And not always just hitting the hole fast, you've got to be patient at times. The offensive line did a great job allowing us to be patient and letting things develop and really getting through their holes when we needed to.”
Burkhead salvaged the Texans’ languishing running game. He has started since a loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
Burkhead played this season under a one-year, $1.5 millioncontractthat includeda $1.125 million base salary. Burkhead had up to $250,000 in per game active roster bonuses worth$14,705 per game he was active. Burkhead's signing bonus was $125,000, and his salary cap hit was $1.397 million.
A former Nebraska standout, Burkhead has rushed for 1,804 career yards and 17 touchdowns.
“He's been Mr. Consistent for us,” Texans coach David Culley said. “He's a guy that's going to get north and south. He knows how to play. He just knows how to play the game. Rex could probably play another position. That's just how instinctive he is as a football player."
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