Blue (undisclosed) was unavailable for Sunday's preseason opener against the 49ers, the Texans' official website reports.

EDGE Analysis

Blue's absence allowed Houston to get a better look at Kenny Hilliard, Akeem Hunt and fourth-round rookie Tyler Ervin. Hilliard and starter Lamar Miller had some success, but it was a poor night for the Texans' running game overall. While still the favorite to serve as Miller's top backup, Blue is unlikely to be an option on passing downs, which limits his handcuff appeal.

Blue gained 99 yards on 17 carries in Sunday's 30-0 loss to the Chiefs. He was unable to bring in his only target in the passing game.

EDGE Analysis

The second-year back flirted with the 100-yard mark against a stout Chiefs defensive front, although the majority of his production on the day came on a 50-yard burst in the first half. Blue saw his playing time wane as the Texans got further and further behind, limiting what could've been an even better day. Blue flashed at times as the fill-in for the injured Arian Foster this season, but his best-case scenario heading into next season will see him as the top backup to the latter.

Blue (calf) is listed as active Saturday against the Chiefs.

EDGE Analysis

Acting as the Texans' No. 1 back in the last three games, Blue racked up 56 rushes for 254 yards (4.5 YPC) and two catches for seven yards. That success may be difficult to match against a Kansas City defense that finished the season as the eighth-ranked run defense.

Blue (calf) is listed as probable for Saturday's game against the Chiefs.

EDGE Analysis

Blue, who finished up the regular season by topping the 100-yard rushing mark in two of the last Texans' last three games, is thus on track to continue to head the team's ground game as the postseason starts. In the mix for complementary work in that area are Chris Polk, Jonathan Grimes and Akeem Hunt.

Blue (calf) was a limited participant at Thursday's practice.

EDGE Analysis

Blue finished up the regular season on a high note, rushing for more than 100 yards in two of the last three games. We suspect the Texans will focus on the run as long as the game remains close. Houston's running attack had been underwhelming early in the season, but it finished strong, averaging 135 yards per game over the final seven contests. When the Texans made their second-half run to the division title, the ground game was a big part of it.

Blue gained 102 yards on 21 carries and caught his only target for another two yards in Sunday's win over the Jaguars.

EDGE Analysis

The second-year back came up big in a game the Texans needed to sneak into the playoffs, topping the 100-yard mark for the second time in the last three weeks. These types of performances will be essential to any sort of sustained playoff run the Texans are likely to make, and Sunday's showing bodes well ahead of the franchise's return to the tournament. Blue has been inconsistent as the feature back this season, but he could be hitting his stride at just the right time.

Blue (back) rushed 15 times for 45 yards, and caught his sole target for five more yards in Sunday's 34-6 win in Tennessee.

EDGE Analysis

Blue's 3.0 yards per carry equaled the team's average as Tennessee's defense was able to limit the effectiveness of Houston's rushing attack. The 24-year-old has had an inconsistent season with seven games below 3.0 yards per carry and four over 4.5, and the pendulum happened to swing downward for him this week following a 107-yard performance in Indianapolis. Expect a bounce-back effort next week as the Texans look to close out a division title against Jacksonville.

Blue (back) rushed 20 times for 107 yards during Sunday's 16-10 win over the Colts.

EDGE Analysis

One week after being limited to special teams duty due to his back injury, Blue posted his second-highest rushing total of the season. He dominated the backfield touches, as Akeem Hunt rushed five times for 26 yards, Chris Polk had four carries for six yards and Jonathan Grimes finished with a single yard on his only carry. Up next is a Week 16 match against the Titans, with the Texans needing a win to clinch the AFC South.

Blue (back) is active Sunday against the Colts.

EDGE Analysis

Blue was apparently not healthy enough to play on offense last week, which is why he was limited to special teams duty, though getting closer to 100 percent doesn't guarantee him a plethora of touches with Jonathan Grimes and Chris Polk also expected to get snaps on offense.

Blue (back) was deemed too "banged up" to be of use on offense in last week's loss to New England.

EDGE Analysis

Blue didn't play at all on offense as Chris Polk and Jonathan Grimes got the bulk of snaps at running back. He is expected to return to the rotation this week against the Colts, but it's not known whether or not he will start.