Burkhead (hip) did not practice Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

The running back returned to practice Wednesday as a limited participant but was held out Thursday. The 31-year-old has served as the Texans fourth option in the backfield this season behind Mark Ingram, Phillip Lindsay and David Johnson. Burkhead has only one rush attempt and two catches across four games in 2021.

Burkhead (hip) is working as a limited participant at Wednesday's practice.

EDGE Analysis

Burkhead is practicing for the first time since suffering a hip injury that kept him sidelined Week 4. When healthy this season, the veteran running back has only handled a depth role, so he won't be on the fantasy radar in most formats even if back in action for Sunday's game against the Colts.

The Texans have ruled out Burkhead (hip) for Sunday's game against the Patriots, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

He'll miss out on a matchup with one of his former teams after the hip injury kept him from practicing all week. Even while suiting up in each of the Texans' first four games, Burkhead has held a minimal role on offense. He's played just 29 snaps, carrying once for minus-1 yard and catching two passes for 11 yards.

Burkhead (hip) didn't practice Wednesday and is expected to miss Sunday's contest against the Patriots, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.

EDGE Analysis

Burkhead has been non-existent for the Texans offense this year, as he didn't pick up his first carry of the season until Week 4. Assuming he ends up sitting out this weekend, Burkhead's absence shouldn't dramatically alter Houston's game plan.

Burkhead had one carry for minus-1 yards in Sunday's 40-0 loss to the Bills.

EDGE Analysis

Burkhead logged his first carry of the season while playing a season-low three snaps. Despite all the preseason speculation about how carries would be divided among Houston's veteran running backs, it hasn't much mattered who's gotten the ball. The Texans are averaging just 2.7 yards per carry the last three weeks, and it's pass-catching back David Johnson that may be the most valuable of the group.

Burkhead logged 11 offensive snaps in Sunday's 31-21 loss to the Browns.

EDGE Analysis

Burkhead did not have a touch Week 2 and has a combined 21 offensive snaps through two weeks. The Texans were hit by injuries to skill-position players Sunday, although none to their running backs, so Burkhead could benefit from more playing time in a short turnaround matchup Thursday against the Panthers.

Burkhead caught one of two targets for six yards in Sunday's 37-21 win over Jacksonville.

EDGE Analysis

Burkhead played 10 of 78 offensive snaps (13 percent), ranking fourth among Houston's running backs. After Houston signed three veteran backs during the offseason to join David Johnson, it was unclear how the snaps and opportunities would shake out. The first week provided a glimpse into the pecking order and roles, as Mark Ingram emerged as the clear leader, followed by Phillip Lindsay. Johnson (four targets, three catches, one TD) provided value as the top receiving back while Burkhead appears to be second as a receiver.

Burkhead had one carry for four yards and caught both of his targets for 12 yards in Saturday's 20-14 win over the Cowboys in preseason Week 2.

EDGE Analysis

Burkhead made his preseason debut after dressing for the opener but not making it onto the field. All four of Houston's running backs saw action Saturday, and the Cowboys snuffed it out the Texans' ground game, which averaged 3.2 yards per carry. There is no more clarity on how Texans head coach David Culley plans to divvy up the carries among the position group, the pecking order or which one (if any) will not make the roster. What appears to be clear after two preseason weeks is that David Johnson will play on passing downs and that Mark Ingram will have a spot.

Burkhead dressed but did not play in Saturday's 26-7 win over the Packers in preseason Week 1.

EDGE Analysis

Both Burkhead and Mark Ingram suited up but did not play. They watched Phillip Lindsay start and David Johnson get just one carry. At this point, there's no clarity to how coach David Culley plans to deploy his four running backs, but Johnson's limited usage is noteworthy.

Burkhead (knee) worked out at receiver and running back during team drills Monday, Deepi Sidhu of the Texans' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Burkhead has been working out regularly in camp after undergoing offseason knee surgery. He joins a group of four running backs that all have a track record of catching the ball out of the backfield, so having one of them practice with wide receivers might be a way to keep all four on the opening-week roster. Houston currently is carrying 12 wide receivers in camp.