Smash-mouth football is back in vogue with the Texans, a run-first approach built around a punishing offensive line and the elusiveness of running back Lamar Miller

A strategy born partly out of necessity due to the Texans' foundering, 30th-ranked passing game and also the strength of their personnel, the Texans have adopted an old-school offensive game plan during an era defined by space-age passing attacks.

"That's our mentality, smash-mouth football," Miller said. "We have the offensive line to do it and we have the running backs that can do it as well. We just try to go out there and do our assignment and just keep the chains moving any way that's possible."

It's been a successful method of moving the football. The Texans rank fifth in the NFL in rushing offense, averaging 126.1 rushing yards per game.

Miller has already gained 1,010 yards, scoring four touchdowns and averaging 4.5 yards per carry.

This marks the second 1,000-yard rushing season of his career and coincides with him having a heavier workload than he had with the Miami Dolphins, one of the reasons why he joined the Texans in March via a four-year, $26 million contract.

"I always have confidence in myself," Miller said. "I've been playing running back my whole life, so of course I feel like I can carry the load. That's part of the reason why I came here."

Despite several offensive line configurations because of injuries, the Texans have rushed for 1,639 yards and five touchdowns through 13 games. They're on pace to finish the season with 2,017 yards.

Miller is on pace to finish the season with 1,243 yards.

Miller said he plans to do something special for the offensive line as far as gifts, but he wouldn't reveal the secret. He praised the offensive linemen for their blocking and roll-up-the-sleeves style.

Although defenses know the Texans plan to run the football considering that quarterback Brock Osweiler has thrown 14 interceptions and has just 14 touchdown passes, they still haven't been able to stop them. The Texans ran for 181 yards during their win over the Indianapolis Colts.

"A lot of teams know that we run the ball," Miller said. "For us to be able to keep getting positive yards and keeping the chains moving, that's telling us that the offensive line is doing a great job."

Fullback Proschvalued by team

Fullback Jay Prosch is part of a shrinking fraternity, a rugged lead blocker in a league that no longer employs many fullbacks.

The Texans still believe in the value of having a fullback to deliver punishing blocks to create pathways for running back Lamar Miller

"Jay Prosch has had a good year," Texans coach Bill O'Brien said. "It's a tough position to play. When you play fullback in this league, and that's something that we believe in with some of the plays that we run, it's a car crash for that guy. He's a tough guy. He's a very improved player. He's worked hard to improve his flexibility, his overall athletic ability."

A former high school offensive tackle and linebacker who played collegiately at Auburn and Illinois, Prosch has bench pressed over 500 pounds. He's a powerful blocker at 6-1, 255 pounds and one of the strongest players on the Texans' roster.

"I think I've been getting better," Prosch said. "I think it just comes with understanding more of what to do. It's a lot of fun blocking for all of our backs."

Running behind Prosch, Miller has gained more than 1,000 yards.

"Sometimes I tell him when I'm running the ball that I'm following him," Miller said. "I think he does a good job of just getting his helmet on the next guy's helmet and just getting movement."

Savage returnsafter infection

Standing on the practice field throwing passes, backup quarterback Tom Savage was a happy man.

Savage made his return Wednesday after missing the past two games with an infection in his right, throwing elbow.

"No doubt, it was a little scary," said Savage, who added he wasn't sure how he got the infection or what the nature of it was. "It was kind of one of those weird deals."

Savage missed two games, with Brandon Weeden serving as the backup.

"Feeling a lot better," Savage said. "It felt good. I'm always excited to be back out there."

Meanwhile, several players didn't practice.

That included cornerback Johnathan Joseph (cracked ribs, bruised lung), tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz (concussion), offensive guard Jeff Allen (concussion) and linebacker John Simon (chest). Safety Don Jones missed practice with an illness.

Joseph missed the Texans' game against the Colts. Fiedorowicz and Allen left the game Sunday and didn't return. Simon has been sidelined since a loss to the Oakland Raiders in Mexico City. Joseph and Simon worked on the side.

"C.J. is a big part of what we've been doing, obviously," O'Brien said. "He's pretty banged up, but I know he's going to do everything he can to try to play on Sunday."

Clark fined,plans to appeal

Offensive tackle Chris Clark was fined $9,115 by the NFL for his facemask penalty against the Colts.

Clark said he plans to appeal the punishment from the league office.

Clark was penalized in the first quarter, but the penalty was declined.

The penalty preceded a 21-yard field goal by kicker Nick Novak

Jones, Gibson onpractice squad

The Texans signed receiver Tevin Jones and offensive tackle Laurent Gibson to the practice squad.

Jones is a Clear Creek graduate and League City native.

He played collegiately at Memphis, where he caught 90 passes for 1,215 yards and nine touchdowns.

Jones was an all-area and all-region selection who caught 34 passes for 610 yards and six touchdowns as a senior.

Gibson is a former New York Giants seventh-round draft pick from Virginia Tech.

Aaron Wilson