Texans RB Scottie Phillips’ time is now with departure of Mark Ingram

The Houston Texans traded running back Mark Ingram back to where it all started for the Pro Bowler: the New Orleans Saints.

The Texans added Ingram, a 2021 free agency addition, had been a great surprise for the Texans. He represented the team’s best running back through seven games in what had been an underwhelming ground game and had been one of the faces of the new ‘culture’ the organization has been preaching.

The compensation for the pick has not been announced yet but, at face value, this is a huge win for the Texans. Ingram does not project into their future nor teach them anything about other players on the roster, meanwhile Ingram himself deserves an opportunity to be competing for the playoffs and potentially a Super Bowl in what is a later stage of his career.

Hopefully, Ingram can be a meaningful contributor for the Saints behind Alvin Kamara. What matters now in Houston is turning towards the Rams’ game and the rest of the 2021 season. They have an incredible opportunity created by the vacuum left by Ingram’s departure.

Scottie Phillips has room for carries.

Phillips, an undrafted free agent from the 2020 rookie class, made the 2021 53-man roster after a fabulous preseason. The 3-week stint included 66 yards and a touchdown against the Packers and 73 yards against Tampa Bay where he frequently looked like the team’s most dynamic running back.

He hasn’t been active yet this season due to a crowded backfield with Ingram, Phillip Lindsay, David Johnson and Rex Burkhead. However, his addition to the 53-man despite four other running backs means the coaching staff certainly sees his potential and the front office is concerned he’d be poached if placed on the practice squad.

Lindsay is averaging only 2.6 yards per carry while both Johnson and Burkhead are both very known commodities who are universally considered to be at the later stages of their careers.

At 24 years old, and with only two NFL rushing attempts to his name, Phillips represents the kind of exciting question mark the Texans should be investing in for the rest of the season.

Hopefully the departure of Ingram clears space for Phillips to have an opportunity to sketch his name next to Nico Collins and Jonathan Greenard as Texans’ fans can be excited to see beyond the 2021 campaign.

The Houston running game has done absolutely nothing up to this point and David Culley preaches it should be the foundation of their team. Roll the dice, Houston, and maybe that foundation could become a lot more sturdy.

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