As the Texans began practice Wednesday morning, their new running back wasn't with his teammates on their indoor field.
Veteran running back Eno Benjamin, claimed off waivers Tuesday by the Texans from the Arizona Cardinals, is in the process of getting acclimated to his new team and has paperwork, equipment and medical details to complete. He's expected to begin practicing with the Texans on Thursday. Benjamin has been assigned the No. 20 jersey after officially joining the team Wednesday.
A former seventh-round draft pick from Arizona State, Benjamin started when Cardinals starter James Conner was injured. He rushed for 92 yards in a win over the New Orleans Saints and averaged 4.3 yards per run for the season.
When his role was reduced after Conner returned, appearing in one snap against the Los Angeles Rams, Benjamin reportedly became upset.
Benjamin is a capable runner who started three games in place of Conner.
Benjamin has rushed for 299 yards on 70 carries and scored two touchdowns this season.
Benjamin (5-foot-9, 207 pounds) could provide a good change of pace behind starting running back Dameon Pierce, an NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate.
He has rushed for 417 career yards and three touchdowns, catching 30 passes for 226 yards.
Texans running back Dare Ogunbowale was at practice, but not participating during the portion open to reporters. No injury was reported for Ogunbowale during Sunday's game against the New York Giants.
Meanwhile, defensive tackle Michael Dwumfour (6-foot-1, 296 pounds) was officially designated for return from injured reserve and returned to practice. Dwumfour, a former undrafted free agent from Rutgers, has recovered from a rib injury and the team launched his 21-day practice window. He has played in four games this season and has two tackles.
Defensive end Jerry Hughes, defensive tackle Maliek Collins and wide receiver Brandin Cooks were at practice, but had their usual veteran's rest day.
Defensive end Jon Greenard, who led the Texans with eight sacks last season, hasn't started practicing yet. He was placed on injured reserve with a strained calf the day before a road loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. He is eligible to be designated for return, but coach Lovie Smith indicated he wasn't quite ready to do so yet.
"To get Jonathan back, he’s one of our guys, too," Smith said. "I don’t exactly how long it’ll be, but there will be a spot for him once he gets back.”
Aaron Wilson is a contributor to Sports Talk 790.
Photo: Getty Images
The Texans signed former New York Giants wide receiver Alex Bachman and former San Francisco 49ers safety Will Redmond, according to league sources.
Bachman, 26, (6-foot, 190 pounds) played collegiately at Wake Forest.
Bachman led all NFL players with 19 catches during the preseason with the Giants. He has return skills and kick coverage ability and has one career punt return for 16 yards last season and four kickoff returns for 94 yards.
At Wake Forest, Bachman had 82 catches for 1,162 yards and 10 touchdowns in 32 games. He has run the 40-yard dash in 4.47 seconds. He signed with the Los Angeles Rams after going undrafted, then joined the Giants' practice squad after being waived by the Rams with an injury settlement in 2019. He was cut by the Giants on Aug. 30.
Redmond and Jace Whittaker worked out for the Texans on Monday, according to league sources.
Redmond is a safety and a former San Francisco 49ers third-round draft pick from Mississippi State. He has also played for the Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts.
Redmond, 28, (6-foot, 186 pounds) has 65 career tackles and two pass deflections in 34 career games and five starts.
Whittaker, 27, (5-11, 195 pounds) is a former Arizona Cardinals cornerback who went undrafted out of Arizona. He has seven career tackles. He was released by the Cardinals from their practice squad on Nov. 9. He has played in nine career games with one start this season in three games played for the Cardinals in 2022 with one pass defensed.
Aaron Wilson is a contributor to Sports Talk 790.