The Texans' defense endured an extremely long, embarrassing day while trying in vain to chase down Miami Dolphins running back Lamar Miller.

The Texans' pursuit of Miller was unsuccessful last October during a 44-26 loss in South Florida as he piled up 175 rushing yards on 14 carries with an 85-yard touchdown run. He also caught three passes for 61 yards with a 54-yard touchdown.

After failing to corral Miller in October, the Texans landed him in March on a four-year, $26 million deal that includes $14 million fully guaranteed and averages $6.5 million guaranteed. Miller is the replacement for four-time Pro Bowl runner Arian Foster, who was cut last week.

“The Texans are getting a home-run hitter, a guy who can make a play anywhere on the field and a guy who can protect the quarterback,” Miller said in a telephone interview. “I’m excited to be a part of the Texans family. I just feel good to get this huge opportunity. I’ve been putting in all of this hard work and doing this ever since I was a little kid, and now it’s all paying off. It’s a great day.”

With the acquisition of two potential impact players in quarterback Brock Osweiler and Miller, Texans coach Bill O’Brien and offensive coordinator George Godsey can design game plans for them to operate in tandem with Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

Back to Gallery Lamar Miller: 'The Texans got a home-run hitter' 24 1 of 24 Photo: Al Pereira, Getty Images 2 of 24 Photo: Joel Auerbach, Getty Images 3 of 24 Photo: Jared Wickerham, Getty Images 4 of 24 Photo: Al Messerschmidt, Getty Images 5 of 24 Photo: Jamie Sabau, Getty Images 6 of 24 Photo: Joel Auerbach, Getty Images 7 of 24 Photo: Stephen M. Dowell, McClatchy-Tribune News Service 8 of 24 Photo: Streeter Lecka, Getty Images 9 of 24 Photo: Mike Ehrmann, Getty Images 10 of 24 Photo: Al Pereira, Getty Images 11 of 24 Photo: Joel Auerbach, Getty Images 12 of 24 Photo: Joel Auerbach, AP 13 of 24 Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle 14 of 24 Photo: Bill Wippert, Associated Press 15 of 24 Photo: Brett Carlsen, Getty Images 16 of 24 Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle 17 of 24 Photo: Joel Auerbach, Associated Press 18 of 24 Photo: Tim Ireland, Associated Press 19 of 24 Photo: Joe Rimkus Jr., McClatchy-Tribune News Service 20 of 24 Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Houston Chronicle 21 of 24 Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Houston Chronicle 22 of 24 Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Houston Chronicle 23 of 24 Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Houston Chronicle 24 of 24 Photo: Rhona Wise, Associated Press















































“I think it would be a great combination with Osweiler, with all of us,” Miller said. “Me and Hopkins, we’ll be a great combo. I’m excited to be a part of what we’re going to build down in Houston. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”