Ray

Graham

Graham (5-foot-9 1/8, 199) was drawing Ray Rice comparisons until tearing his right ACL in late October of 2011. He returned to rush 222 times for 1,042 yards (4.69 YPC) and 11 touchdowns as a senior. Graham caught 98 passes in his college career. A sharp cutter without long speed, Graham ran a 4.8 forty at the Combine with a 1.68 ten-yard split, murdering his stock. He still offers NFL potential, particularly now that he’s nearing two full years removed from the ACL.

Karim, entering his fourth season, is competing with undrafted rookies Cierre Wood, Dennis Johnson, and Ray Graham for the role, and he’s rushed for 92 yards on 15 carries through two preseason games. Karim will be the second back in the game behind Ben Tate in Sunday’s regular season dress rehearsal against the Saints. Karim also has special teams experience.

Graham was one of the three big-name undrafted free agent backs -- along with Cierre Wood and Dennis Johnson -- to sign on with the Texans. He’s the first to be shown the door. McGee was a fourth-round pick by the Cowboys in 2009.

Graham was signed this past week to serve as Jonathan Grimes’ backup with Dennis Johnson (hip) and Deji Karim (collarbone) injured. The undrafted rookie out of Pittsburgh will compete for a roster spot in some team’s training camp next summer.

Graham, an undrafted rookie out of Pittsburgh, spent the summer and part of the season on the practice squad with the Texans. He was on the 53-man roster for two weeks earlier in the year. With Deji Karim (collarbone) done for the season and Dennis Johnson (hip) questionable for Week 17, Graham will likely be active as a backup to Jonathan Grimes. Graham is probably more talented.

The move clears a spot for OLB Ricky Sapp on the active roster. Graham fell behind Dennis Johnson for backup duties to Ben Tate, but will likely be re-signed to the practice squad if he clears waivers.

Graham was waived by the Texans last week. He isn’t a candidate for backup duties behind Le’Veon Bell, but would provide depth as the No. 4 running back. Graham went undrafted out of Pitt this offseason and has practice squad eligibility.

Graham was signed as a priority undrafted free agent by Gary Kubiak’s Texans last April before getting the ax in late August and landing on the practice squad. He rushed for eight yards on four carries as a rookie. Graham should be able to latch on with a team this summer. Supernaw made one appearance in 2013.

Arian Foster (hamstring) and Ben Tate (ribs) are both banged up and Cierre Wood smoked his way off the team Monday. That leaves Graham, an undrafted rookie out of Pitt that tore his ACL in October of 2011 and ran a 4.8 forty at the Combine. Extreme deep leaguers should put him on their radar, but we’d expect the Texans to sign a veteran if Foster or Tate isn’t ready after the Week 8 bye.

Graham is the third running back the Texans have signed in the past 24 hours, joining veteran Deji Karim and fellow rookie Dennis Johnson. It’s a clear indication that Ben Tate (ribs) is in danger of missing Week 9, and that Arian Foster (hamstring) isn’t guaranteed to go. Tarpinian will contribute on special teams.