By acquiring former running back Carlos Hyde via a trade with the Chiefs for offensive lineman Martinas Rankin, the Texans envision a hard-nosed, tackle-breaking presence in their backfield.
The Texans needed to get depth at running back when veteran starter Lamar Miller tore his anterior cruciate ligament. A 2014 second-round draft pick of the 49ers from Ohio State, Hyde will play under a one-year, $2.8 million contract and work in tandem with fellow newcomer Duke Johnson He has rushed for 3,300 career yards and 26 touchdowns and is a bigger, physical back than Johnson at 6-foot, 230 pounds.