Chris

Evans

Updating a prior report from NBC Houston’s Aaron Wilson, the Texans hosted Hines, along with former Bengals RBs Trayveon Williams and Chris Evans, for a workout yesterday. Despite drafting former USC RB Woody Marks in the fourth round, the Texans appear dead set on adding another speedy pass-catching running back to the mix. Although Hines was technically under contract with the Bills (2023) and Browns (2024), he has not played football since tearing his ACL in a July 2023 jet skiing accident.

NBC Houston’s Aaron Wilson reports that Williams’ former teammate, RB Chris Evans, also worked out for the Texans on Thursday. Both Williams (2019-2023) and Evans (2021-2023) served as Joe Mixon’s backups with the Bengals in prior seasons, and one would assume Mixon is a fan of the Texans’ dual-tryout. Wilson’s pre-draft reports indicated that the Texans hoped to draft a speedy receiving back, and although the team did add a capable pass-catching back in former USC RB Woody Marks, he lacks elite speed. The Texans are seemingly intent on adding someone for Marks to compete with, though neither Williams nor Evans would be more than a deep-league bench stash if one is signed and manages to beat out the rookie.

A former sixth-round pick of the 2021 Bengals draft class, Evans missed all of the 2024 season due to a torn patellar tendon. Pelissero reports Evans is “full-go now,” as the former Michigan man looks to earn a chance to compete for a 53-man roster spot this offseason. Evans has seen light work as a pro, rushing just 19 times for 89 scoreless yards in his career while adding another 19 catches for 188 yards and three scores. He also has experience as a kick returner (14 career kick returns), which could increase his chances at earning a longer look.

It’s a career-threatening injury for the career backup in Cincinnati. Evans was not in the mix for regular touches, but his loss thins the depth in an already shaky backfield.

The injury occurred during a kickoff coverage drill in a joint practice with the Bears. The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. reports moments later, that Bengals backup T D’Ante Smith “went to the ground screaming in pain.” An air cast was applied to his left leg before the cart took him away. Both players were reportedly on the roster bubble and their seasons are now in jeopardy. Evans’ 90 rushing yards and 154 receiving yards from his 2021 rookie season remain his career-best single-season totals.

It’s been a rough year for reserve Evans. He has been active only eight times, garnering three touches. This is probably his final season as one of the Bengals’ running back reserves.

Evans headed into the weekend with a questionable tag due to his hamstring injury, but was officially ruled out when the team announced it’s Week 2 inactives. Backup running back Trayveon Williams will have a chance to serve in his place, but can be left off the fantasy radar with Joe Mixon expected to handle most of the workload. In addition to Evans the Bengals also declared CB DJ Ivey, DE Joseph Ossai, C Trey Hill, and OT Jackson Carman inactive.

Evans seemingly entered the season as Cincinnati’s RB2, but he and Trayveon Williams both saw work behind Joe Mixon in Week 1. This hamstring issue all but ensures that Evans won’t be the only backup to see work in Week 2, and that’s if he can play through the questionable tag.

Evans was limited on Wednesday, so his absence on Thursday is a downgrade with just one practice to go. A limited session on Friday could hint at him playing in Week 2 against the Ravens, but if he’s unable to go, it will likely be Trayveon Williams mixing in behind Joe Mixon. Williams played on just 16 snaps in the Bengals Week 1 loss to the Browns, and can be left off the fantasy radar even if Evans sits.

This comes from Dehner’s article over at The Athletic, where he projects Evans as the Bengals’ “passing-down starter” while Trayveon Williams and Chase Brown will serve as backups. Dehner says Evans is on the rise after a camp where he excelled in pass protection and improved as a runner. Evans serving in this role could make him the replacement for Samaje Perine, who appeared on 149 third-down snaps last season to Mixon’s 50 per PFF. Evans is an interesting late-round flyer in deep PPR leagues.