Coach David Culley said Friday that Burkhead (hip/quadriceps) still has a chance to play Sunday against the Jaguars, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.

EDGE Analysis

Culley said earlier in the week that Burkhead wouldn't be able to play Sunday in Jacksonville, but the veteran tailback's outlook has apparently improved over the past couple days. The 31-year-old's outlook should receive more clarity later Friday when Houston releases its official injury report for Week 15.

Burkhead (hip/quad) was listed as a limited practice participant Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Per Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle and Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston, coach David Culley previously relayed that Burkhead would not be ready to play against the Jaguars on Sunday, so unless there's been an unexpected improvement here, look for the running back to be inactive this weekend.

Coach David Culley relayed Wednesday that Burkhead (hip) "won't be able to go this week," Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.

EDGE Analysis

The report notes that Burkhead is expected to play again this season, but he's slated to miss Sunday's game against the Jaguars, at a minimum. In his absence, David Johnson, who was unavailable in Week 14, has been activated from the COVID-19 reserve list and is in line to head the Texans' backfield this weekend, with Royce Freeman also in the mix.

Burkhead (hip) is day-to-day, Deepi Sidhu of the Texans' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Burkhead was forced out of Sunday's loss to Seattle, and his status now looks up in the air for Week 15 in Jacksonville. The Texans may get David Johnson (undisclosed) back from the reserve/COVID-19 list in time to face the Jaguars, but for the time being Royce Freeman will begin the week as Houston's only healthy backfield option.

Burkhead was forced out of Sunday's game against the Seahawks with a groin injury.

EDGE Analysis

With David Johnson on the reserve/COVID-19 list and Burkhead now sidelined, Royce Freeman is next up for the Texans' Week 14 carries. Prior to his exit from the contest, Burkhead carried 11 times for 40 yards and caught all four of his targets for 26 yards.

Burkhead is expected to serve as Houston's top running back Sunday against the Seahawks after David Johnson was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Before he sat out last week's 31-0 loss to the Colts with an illness and a thigh injury, Johnson had been splitting work out of the backfield with Burkhead. In Johnson's absence last week, Burkhead played 46 percent of the offensive snaps and carried eight times for 30 yards and recorded one 15-yard reception on two targets. The Texans scaled back Burkhead's workload in the second half due to the blowout nature of the game, but if Houston can keep Sunday's contest more competitive, expect the 31-year-old to see the bulk of the work out of the backfield. Royce Freeman is the lone depth option behind Burkhead, as Jaylen Samuels -- who was a candidate to called up from the practice squad -- is also unavailable after landing on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Burkhead rushed eight times for 30 yards and caught one of two targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 31-0 loss to the Colts.

EDGE Analysis

Burkhead led the Texans in carries with fellow tailback David Johnson (illness/thigh) sidelined. Facing a tough Colts defense, though, he couldn't get much going on the ground, but he at least contributed Houston's longest catch of the day. His outlook for next Sunday's game against the Seahawks could depend on Johnson's status, making the Texans' backfield situation one to monitor.

Burkhead is on track to see added work out of the Texans' backfield Sunday against the Colts with David Johnson (illness/thigh) inactive.

EDGE Analysis

Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston previously suggested given Johnson's status that the Texans would turn to Burkhead as their primary back Sunday, with Royce Freeman also in the mix and Jaylen Samuels on hand in reserve. With that in mind, Burkhead, who shared work with Johnson last weekend, merits lineup consideration from those looking for Week 13 running back help due to injuries and/or byes.

Burkhead is expected to serve as Houston's primary option out of the backfield Sunday against the Colts with David Johnson (illness/thigh) listed as questionable but not expected to play in the contest, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.

EDGE Analysis

In Houston's first game since letting go Phillip Lindsay, Burkhead paced the Texans backfield with a 64-percent snap share, taking the field for 35 plays to Johnson's 20, while third-stringer Royce Freeman was limited exclusively to a special-teams role. The distribution of touches between Burkhead and Johnson was much more even, however, as the former gained 54 yards across 12 carries and three receptions, while the latter picked up 55 yards on 10 totes and two catches. Assuming Johnson is made inactive ahead of the 1 p.m. ET kickoff, Burkhead should take on a greater share of the backfield touches, but he could struggle to produce a meaningful stat line if the 2-9 Texans fall behind early and a forced into a pass-heavy game script. Freeman and practice-squad call-up Jaylen Samuels could also have roles on offense, though neither looks like a good bet to match the 12 touches Johnson saw last week.

Burkhead rushed 12 times for 27 yards and caught all three of his targets for 27 yards in Sunday's 21-14 loss to the Jets.

EDGE Analysis

Burkhead got three more touches than David Johnson but mustered one fewer scrimmage yard. While Burkhead's 33 touches over the past two weeks suggest he'll continue to play a prominent role in Week 13 against the Colts, he has averaged fewer than three yards per touch, so there will likely be more enticing backfield options in a majority of fantasy formats.