Josh

Ferguson

Despite the utter lack of depth at the running back spot in Houston, Ferguson still couldn’t crack the team after Lamar Miller’s season-ending torn ACL. The Texans are likely to eye the waiver wire for backfield help this weekend.

With Lamar Miller and D’Onta Foreman at the top of the depth chart, Ferguson won’t see more than just a few offensive snaps when everyone is healthy. Ferguson has just 26 rushing yards on 15 career carries, but he has impressed the Texans with his pass-catching and elusiveness. Rookies Karan Higdon and Damarea Crockett are also in the mix.

Ferguson has had one carry since the 2017 season and has mustered up 26 rushing yards on 15 career carries. Even if Ferguson holds down the third job, he’ll offer zero fantasy value barring injuries to both Lamar Miller and D’Onta Foreman. That duo will combine for a large majority of the Texans’ running back touches in 2019.

Durability concerns surely were the main reason Ferguson went undrafted; he missed 16 college games due to injury. But the Colts quickly snapped him up as a priority free agent and injected his youth into an aging backfield. Ferguson has some Dion Lewis to his game. If he can stay healthy and prove he can protect the quarterback, Ferguson could have a role right away.

The Colts reportedly considered Ferguson as early as the fourth round of April’s draft, and he “made a distinct impression” during the offseason program. Indy does not have much of anything behind 33-year-old starter Frank Gore, so it is not crazy to think Ferguson carves out a role this year. The 5-foot-10, 198-pound back ran a 4.48 forty with a 10-foot broad jump at the Combine.

He also caught 2-of-3 targets for 13 yards. Ferguson has been downright dreadful through the Colts’ first two preseason games, turning 13 carries into nine measly yards. He also whiffed on a pass protection assignment on Saturday night, getting backup QB Scott Tolzien blown up for a sack. Ferguson worked behind both Frank Gore and Robert Turbin and was also outperformed by Jordan Todman, who rushed five times for 22 yards. Ferguson is firmly on the roster bubble in Indy.

According to Holder, Ferguson “got strong consideration” from the Colts in the draft, but they ultimately gave him a $10K signing bonus to sign as an UDFA. The Colts did very little to add to their running back group this offseason, so Ferguson should have a chance to carve out a role as a space back.

With injuries all over the roster, the Colts will struggle to keep more than three running backs. Chappell has Frank Gore, Robert Turbin, and Jordan Todman on his list, meaning he does not believe recent addition Stevan Ridley will make it either. An undrafted rookie who has struggled in the preseason, the Colts will likely be able to stash Ferguson on the practice squad if he is waived.

Ferguson has 18 preseason carries for 13 yards. He did show burst when the Colts finally got him into space Saturday night, breaking off a 16-yard gain on a screen pass. Ferguson struggled in blitz pickup again, however, and is probably not going to open the season as Indianapolis’ No. 2 back.

The Colts wound up devoting their entire draft to defense and the offensive line, but Ferguson still fell into their laps after going undrafted. Beat writer Stephen Holder reports Ferguson “made a distinct impression” during OTAs. “He’s a mismatch out in space,” coach Chuck Pagano. “He’s got juice. He can go.” Ferguson reminded us of Dion Lewis on college tape. Competing with journeymen Robert Turbin and Jordan Todman, Ferguson is a name to keep in mind behind 33-year-old starter Frank Gore.