Texans' Lamar Miller excited about D'Onta Foreman addition, unconcerned about workload

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When the Texans drafted University of Texas running back D'Onta Foreman in the third round, they did so with the intentions of injecting power and speed into their backfield.

The arrival of the Doak Walker award winner and 2,000-yard rusher could also lighten the workload and possibly reduce the wear and tear accumulated by starting running back Lamar Miller.

"It's good to have him on the team," Miller said Saturday during the Texans Care Volunteer Day. "I'm looking forward to working with him. I think he'll help this team out a lot, the power that he brings. I think it's a good addition."

During the NFL scouting combine, Texans coach Bill O'Brien acknowledged that the team wants to be smart about managing Miller's workload.

Miller operated as something of a workhorse for the Texans during the first year of a four-year, $26 million contract.

Miller carried the football a career-high 268 times for 1,073 yards and five touchdowns. However, the pounding ultimately took its toll. Miller missed the final two games of the regular season as he dealt with shoulder, ankle and rib injuries.

Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller (26) makes a run during the first quarter of an AFC Divisional Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough. Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller (26) makes a run during the first quarter of an AFC Divisional Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough. Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 6 Caption Close Texans' Lamar Miller excited about D'Onta Foreman addition, unconcerned about workload 1 / 6 Back to Gallery

Miller generated 1,269 all-purpose yards and 10 touchdowns in his final season in Miami as he rushed for 872 yards and eight touchdowns with 47 receptions for 397 yards and two scores. He averaged 12 carries and three catches per game during his final season in Miami.

Miller averaged 4.5 yards per carry during his final season in Miami, but a half-yard less last season with the Texans as they struggled to generate a consistent passing game and were overly reliant on him.

"I think he probably carried it a little bit too much early on," O'Brien said. "We were very, very dependent on him because he's that type of player. He's a guy that shows up every day, he's in excellent condition, plays through pain. Had an ankle, shoulder, ribs – played through all of it, practiced through all of it. He's what you're looking for when you talk about a teammate and a guy in your locker room.

"I think you know, 30 carries in a couple games, things like that, that's probably a little bit too much. We feel like we have a pretty diverse group of running backs so I think in order to get him at his best in January, we probably need to cut down on that early in the year."

Miller produced four 100-yard games. His season-high for carries was 28 runs for 106 yards in the season-opener against the Chicago Bears.

"That's not my decision," Miller said. "Whenever I get more opportunties and the ball in my hand, I just try to make plays. Whether they give me the ball 30 times 20 times, I'm trying to take full advantage of every opportunity."

Miller has regained his health and is looking forward to his second season in Houston.

"I feel good," Miller said. "I was just taking care of my body, rehabbing and getting back on track. Right now, my body feels good."