Texans looking to jump-start rushing attack

Houston's running game was largely a non-factor in the first half of the season due to injuries and ineffectiveness. But as the Texans gets set to start the second half of year, they hope a renewed focus will lead to better results.

After dealing with a series of injuries along the offensive line and the season-ending loss of running back Arian Foster with an Achilles injury, Houston finished the first eight games averaging 87.9 yards per game rushing and an average of just 3.3 yards per carry.

Alfred Blue, who has taken over as the starter with Foster out, said the team has made running the ball more effectively a point of emphasis heading into Monday night's game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

“I would say the small wins, everybody doing their assignments, everybody just taking the mindset and knowing I’m not going to let my guy beat me,” Blue said, per the Houston Chronicle. “Going out there, when they call the run, look your guy in the eye and just say, ‘I’m going to win this matchup.’ I think that’s the mindset everybody’s got to take out there.”

Blue said the Texans have practiced in full pads recently to work on the running game, in the hopes the mimicking game-like situations will lead to more production.