Burkhead had three carries for 15 yards and caught two of three targets for 13 yards in Sunday's 13-6 win over the Jaguars in Week 5.

EDGE Analysis

Burkhead saw a season-low 12 snaps (21 percent) as the coaches have developed more trust in lead back Dameon Pierce, who was on the field for the game's decisive drive in the fourth quarter. Burkhead is still around to spell Pierce, but this should be the rookie's backfield for the rest of the season.

Burkhead didn't get any rushing attempts, but he caught all five of his targets for 39 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 34-24 loss to the Chargers.

EDGE Analysis

Burkhead contributed in the passing game while rookie tailback Dameon Pierce went for 131 yards and a score on the ground. Although nowhere near as spectacular as Pierce's 75-yard rushing touchdown, Burkhead hauled in an eight-yard score during the third quarter, marking his first end-zone trip of the campaign. The veteran should remain involved as a complementary target out of the backfield in Week 5 versus the Jaguars.

Burkhead carried three times for nine yards and caught four of five targets for 21 yards in Sunday's 23-20 loss to the Bears in Week 3.

EDGE Analysis

While rookie Dameon Pierce is the clear lead back for the Texans, Burkhead remains involved on passing downs and in hurry-up situations. The veteran RB had six touches compared to one for Pierce over the final three drives in the fourth quarter of a tie game. Burkhead was the target on the key play of the game, a Davis Mills interception that set up the Bears in Houston territory for a game-winning field goal.

Burkhead did not log a carry and secured two of three targets for nine yards in the Texans' 16-9 loss to the Broncos on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

A week after seeing a total of 22 touches in a tie with the Colts, Burkhead ceded all the ground game work to rookie fourth-round pick Dameon Pierce, who turned 15 carries into 69 yards. Meanwhile, the veteran was limited to a pass-catching role, and a modest one at that. Head coach Lovie Smith recently emphasized his intention to get Pierce more touches and then delivered on that vow Sunday, so it remans to be seen what the extent of Burkhead's involvement will be during a Week 3 road battle against the Bears next Sunday.

Burkhead rushed 14 times for 40 yards and secured five of eight targets for 30 yards in the Texans' 20-20 tie with the Colts on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

While all eyes were on Burkhead's rookie teammate Dameon Pierce, it was the veteran who paced the Texans in carries and also checked in second to Brandin Cooks in targets for the afternoon. Burkhead is about as reliable as they come and is a superior receiver, but the much younger Pierce is a much more explosive runner. Therefore, it's difficult to read much into the Week 1 workload distribution between the two, with the Texans' backfield situation potentially a bit of a fantasy mystery for the time being until Pierce gets more experience under his belt. Burkhead could play a significant pass-catching role again in Week 2 with the Texans visiting the Broncos in a game during which they could find themselves trailing.

Running back Marlon Mack was among the Texans' final cuts, leaving Burkhead as a clear-cut top-two option at the position along with Dameon Pierce heading into the season, The Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

While Mack was viewed as a bigger threat to Pierce's playing time, Burkhead should still benefit from the team having one less mouth to feed in the backfield, assuming Houston doesn't opt to re-sign Mack after making further roster moves. Burkhead will still need to hold off Royce Freeman and Dare Ogunbowale for playing time in passing situations while Pierce is expected to handle most of the work on early downs.

Burkhead rushed 10 times for 28 yards and caught his only target for three yards in Thursday's 17-0 preseason win over the 49ers.

EDGE Analysis

Burkhead was the second running back into the game for the Texans after rookie Dameon Pierce, who appears to have secured the starting job and celebrated by scoring a touchdown on Houston's opening drive. Marlon Mack didn't play until the second half, though he finished with a game-high 55 yards on the ground. Burkhead could have some value in PPR formats as Houston's receiving back and change-of-pace option behind Pierce.

Burkhead entered Friday night's 24-20 preseason win over the Rams as the Texans' second running back behind Marlon Mack, rushing twice for five yards, securing all three targets for nine additional yards and losing a fumble.

EDGE Analysis

The versatile veteran saw his fair share of action, but his fumble late in the first half following a four-yard reception set up a Rams field goal. Burkhead rushed for a career-high 427 yards while adding 25 receptions during his 2021 debut campaign in Houston, and there's likely going to be room for him on the final roster thanks to his pass-catching skills and ability to play special teams.

Burkhead isn't slated to play in Saturday's preseason contest against the Saints, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Burkhead doesn't have much to prove to the Texans' coaching staff after racking up 613 yards from scrimmage and three rushing touchdowns in 16 games last year. It's unclear if any of his backfield mates will join him on the sideline Saturday, but if not Marlon Mack, rookie fourth-rounder Dameon Pierce, Dare Ogunbowale, Royce Freeman and BJ Emmons are the other healthy options for Houston.

Burkhead and Marlon Mack are listed as the top running backs on the unofficial depth chart entering Saturday's preseason opener against the Saints, Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mack's name is listed first. When the Texans added the former Colt during the offseason, it was widely presumed Burkhead, who finished last season as Houston's lead back, would be replaced. That still may be the case, but perhaps the decision-makers want to see how Mack performs following an Achilles injury that wiped out his 2020 season given that he had only a minor role with Indianapolis in 2021.