Braxton

Miller

Miller is having a harder and harder time cracking the regular season gridiron. He made zero 2018 appearances. The ex-quarterback turns 27 in November.

Houston’s perimeter receivers with the first team have been DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller. In Saturday night’s preseason game against the Saints, Miller racked up three catches for 34 yards on four targets. He had 4-34 against the 49ers in the exhibition opener. Incumbent slot man Cecil Shorts appears to have fallen down the depth chart and could lose his roster spot at final cuts.

“I’ll play slot, I’ll play outside, receiver, RB,” Miller said. “Whatever’s in the game plan.” Miller has one year of experience at receiver after playing quarterback his first three years at Ohio State. But the Texans still thought enough of him to take him 85th overall back in May. Miller is expected to compete for the slot job in Houston, but coach Bill O’Brien will use him wherever he can.

A former star quarterback, Miller is an elite athlete, but has precious little experience at his NFL position. He could eventually represent a big-play threat out of the slot, but might be a frequent healthy scratch as a rookie as he learns the finer points of receiving.

Miller looked sharp on the opening drive, delivering back-to-back catches to set Houston up at the one-yard line, where Lamar Miller punched it in for the game’s first touchdown. He also snagged a six-yarder late in the first half. Among the starting wideouts, only Will Fuller out-snapped Miller. The third-round pick has enjoyed a productive preseason so far with 10 catches for 97 yards. Look for Miller to open 2016 as the Texans’ starting slot receiver.

The former college quarterback showed surprisingly well at receiver as a senior, but his real value could come as a multifaceted offensive weapon. “Just a versatile player, explosive player,” GM Rick Smith said. “Trying to impact our football team, adding players who can add dimensions to our football team who can make plays with the ball in their hands, and certainly he can do that.” Miller will likely play a limited role behind DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller as a rookie, but he is an upside stash in Dynasty formats.

He was ruled out in the third quarter. Miller finished with one catch for three yards on three targets. He also lost two yards on an end around. Miller is scheduled for an MRI on Monday.

Miller ended up sitting out two weeks with a hamstring injury. His return is a boost for the offense, but he had just six targets total in the first two games. He is not a fantasy option in an extremely tough matchup with Minnesota.

The rookie slot man seems likely to miss Thursday’s short-week game. He should be considered week to week.

Miller exited Week 2 after catching one ball for three yards on three targets. He was set to undergo an MRI on Monday. Miller seems unlikely to play Thursday night against the Patriots. Jaelen Strong would be in line for more work.