Burkhead announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Now 33 years old, Burkhead spent the 2023 season out of the league after going unsigned as a free agent. Selected in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Bengals, Burkhead spent the first four years of his career in Cincinnati followed by four seasons with the Patriots and his final two with the Texans. In total, Burkhead amassed a career 488-1,908-17 rushing line and 192-1,534-9 receiving line across 115 contests. He made it to a pair of Super Bowls with New England, winning a ring in 2018. Burkhead notably scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime to beat the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game that postseason.

Burkhead caught one of two targets for one yard in a 32-31 victory over the Colts in Week 18.

EDGE Analysis

Burkhead finished the season with zero carries over the final four games. After he toted the ball 14 times in the season opener, the Texans quickly turned to rookie Dameon Pierce (ankle) as the lead back. Burkhead had 26 total rushing attempts for 80 yards while catching a career-high 37 passes on 51 targets for 204 yards and a touchdown. That he was limited to receiving duties following Pierce's season-ending ankle injury should indicate his future with the organization, which will be hiring a new head coach for the third consecutive season. Burkhead, who turns 33 in the offseason, becomes a free agent in March and is unlikely to be back with Houston in 2023.

Burkhead caught three of five targets for 10 yards and did not have a rushing attempt in Sunday's 31-3 loss to the Jaguars.

EDGE Analysis

Burkhead maintains a minor presence in the backfield, largely due to his ability as a receiver. He has a career-high 49 targets in 2022, which is not surprising given that Houston often plays from behind. As for rushing, Burkhead hasn't seen a carry in the last three games, as Royce Freeman and Dare Ogunbowale have been the main fill-ins for Dameon Pierce (ankle).

Burkhead caught both his targets for seven yards and recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown in Saturday's 19-14 win over Tennessee.

EDGE Analysis

For the second straight week and fourth time in the last five games, Burkhead did not get a rushing attempt. Since Dameon Pierce's season-ending ankle injury, the Texans have used Dare Ogunbowale and Royce Freeman as their main running backs. The team does, however, value Burkhead as a receiving threat, and he was on the field to recover Davis Mills' fumble into the end zone and tie the game in the first quarter. Burkhead ranks fourth on the team with 33 catches, tops among non-wide receivers.

Burkhead did not have a carry and caught two of four targets for 17 yards in Sunday's 30-24 overtime loss to Kansas City.

EDGE Analysis

Burkhead was speculated to be in line for the top job in the backfield with starter Dameon Pierce (ankle) inactive, but he was never handed the ball. Instead, he watched Dare Ogunbowale (27 snaps, eight carries, 14 yards) and elevated practice-teamer Royce Freeman (24 snaps, 11 carries, 51 yards) lead the ground attack, leaving Burkhead with a bleak fantasy outlook even if Pierce misses additional time.

Burkhead is poised for a bigger role Sunday versus the Chiefs with Dameon Pierce (ankle) ruled out.

EDGE Analysis

Burkhead and Dare Ogunbowale are the two healthy running backs on the Texans' active roster, while Gerrid Doaks and Royce Freeman are candidates to be elevated from the practice squad for Week 15. Burkhead appears to be the best bet for carries between the tackles and in short-yardage situations, but he's also averaging just 3.1 yards on his 26 rushes and 5.8 yards on his 29 catches through 12 games this season.

Burkhead had two carries for minus-3 yards and caught his lone target for five yards in Sunday's 27-23 loss to the Cowboys in Week 14.

EDGE Analysis

Burkhead played five snaps -- fewer than Dare Ogunbowale and Eno Benjamin -- but he was the back of choice for a key fourth-quarter drive after Dameon Pierce left with an ankle injury. Following a turnover, Houston had the ball at the Dallas four-yard line with a chance to expand its lead to two scores. Burkhead had both of his carries during that series, and Houston failed to put any points on the board. Pierce's injury will be the top issue for the Texans leading up to Sunday's home game against Kansas City. If he can't go, it will be interesting to see if Burkhead is tapped as the lead back, or if the team will turn to Ogunbowale or Benjamin.

Burkhead (concussion) isn't listed on the Week 14 injury report ahead of Sunday's matchup with Dallas.

EDGE Analysis

Burkhead upgraded to full practice participation last Friday but nonetheless ended up on the inactive list for this past Sunday's loss to the Browns. His removal from the Week 14 practice report implies that he's cleared the concussion protocol, setting him up to serve as the top backup to lead running back Dameon Pierce this Sunday in Dallas. Burkhead's imprending return will result in Dare Ogunbowale moving back to a special-teams role.

Burkhead (concussion) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Browns, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Burkhead appeared to be trending toward playing this weekend after he returned to practice Friday as a full participant, but he apparently wasn't able to gain clearance from an independent neurologist, which is the final step for players to exit the NFL's concussion protocol. With Burkhead still stuck in the protocol and thus set to miss his first game of the season, the Texans will turn to Eno Benjamin and Dare Ogunbowale to provide depth behind starter Dameon Pierce.

Burkhead (concussion) is questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Browns.

EDGE Analysis

After logging back-to-back DNPs due to a concussion he suffered in the team's Week 12 loss to Miami, Burkhead returned to practice Friday as a full participant. However, the backup running back is still considered questionable for Week 13. If he's unavailable, Dare Ogunbowale and Eno Benjamin, who was recently claimed off waivers, could be in store for increased roles behind Dameon Pierce during Houston's matchup against Cleveland.