Jonathan

Grimes

Grimes rushed for 130 yards on 28 preseason carries after drawing strong OTA reviews. He also added six catches for 58 yards. The undrafted free agent from William & Mary should be assigned to the practice squad if he goes unclaimed on waivers.

There was some feeling in Houston that Grimes might make the 53-man roster after a strong training camp. He also racked up 130 yards on 28 preseason carries (4.64 YPC) to go with 58 yards on six receptions. Grimes could get a call if Arian Foster, Ben Tate, or Justin Forsett goes down early in the season.

They reportedly like his downhill running style. Grimes would probably need Houston to keep four tailbacks to make the final 53, but he looks like a prime practice squad candidate. A four-time all-conference pick in the Colonial Athletic Association, Grimes ran 4.47 at 5'10/210 at his Pro Day this spring.

The coaching staff likes Forsett’s special teams ability. That and his experience edge should give him the upper hand on a roster spot unless Meggett proves to be the Texans’ best option as a return specialist.

Both Bilal Powell (shoulder) and Joe McKnight (ankle) will be inactive. Grimes, who was signed off the Texans’ practice squad in late September, is an undrafted rookie out of William & Mary. He projects to see some action on third downs and as a change-of-pace option behind Shonn Greene. However, we wouldn’t expect the Jets’ running game to find much traction against a Patriots’ defense yielding just 3.4 yards per carry.

Interesting. Undrafted out of William & Mary, Grimes impressed Texans coaches with his downhill style early in training camp. A four-time all-conference pick in the Colonial Athletic Association, Grimes totaled 130 yards on 28 preseason carries (4.64 YPC) to go with 58 yards on six receptions. The addition of Grimes is yet another indication that Shonn Greene’s role is on the wane. We would hold off on picking up Grimes in all but the deepest leagues.

LB Mister Alexander was waived in a corresponding move. Grimes was waived by the Jets Tuesday. An undrafted free agent originally signed by Houston, the Jets plucked Grimes off the Texans’ practice squad in September. His claiming is an indication Houston doesn’t expect Ben Tate (hamstring) to be active for Week 9.

Cutting ties with Grimes suggests Bilal Powell (shoulder) will return to practice this week. Grimes saw just two carries for six yards in his five weeks with the club.

Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Texans, Grimes was claimed off waivers from the Jets in October. He’s appeared in nine total games this season, carrying the ball two times for six yards. He should pull down a futures contract in January.

Undrafted in April out of William & Mary, Grimes is on his third NFL team already after spending brief spells with the Texans and Jets. A one-cut downhill runner, Grimes racked up 188 total yards in the preseason, averaging 4.64 YPC.