Texans Fan Favorite Is Sadly Not Likely to Make Final Roster

A Texans fan favorite could be on the chopping block later this summer.
Jan 6, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Houston Texans running back Dare Ogunbowale (33) walks on the field before a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Jan 6, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Houston Texans running back Dare Ogunbowale (33) walks on the field before a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. | Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

The Houston Texans will have a few position battles worth watching at training camp over the next several weeks as they try to figure out who will make the final 53-man roster.

Most Texans fans are paying attention to see how things shake out on the offensive line, which got a huge makeover this offseason, along with the wide receiver room, as two former draft picks (John Metchie III and Xavier Hutchinson) are on the chopping block.

However, fans will also keep their attention on who wins the RB4 jobs between Dameon Pierce and Dare Ogunbowale. Earlier this offseason, Pierce and Ogunbowale looked like they had a path to making the team as the Texans only had Joe Mixon and rookie Woody Marks.

But things quickly got crowded last month in Houston’s backfield as they signed veteran Nick Chubb to a one-year deal, who instantly becomes the RB2 and knocks Pierce and Ogunbowale down a peg.

Texans RB Dare Ogunbowale Likely Odd Man Out in Houston

Heading into training camp, the consensus is that Pierce will likely be gone after seeing his role on offense decrease last season, despite his usage on special teams. 

But given that he can be used on kick returns, it wouldn’t be shocking if Ogunbowale, the older running back of the two, is the odd man out in the running back room. The Texans re-signed the 31-year-old running back to a one-year, $1.8 million extension in March.

Ogunbowale has spent the last three years in Houston, becoming a fan favorite for his energy and effort. Whatever role the Texans need him to fill, the veteran running back gets the job done.

Last season, the 31-year-old Ogunbowale quietly outsnapped Pierce, 310 to 111 on offense, despite also playing a healthy 269 snaps on special teams. The veteran running back posted 112 rushing yards on 30 carries. He also added 19 receptions (28 targets) for 198 yards and a touchdown.

If the Texans didn’t go out and sign Chubb, you could make the case that Ogunbowale should be on the roster as the RB3/pass-catching threat. However, the Texans would be best suited to develop Marks as the RB3, this upcoming season, while seeing what they can get from Pierce as a returner or potential trade piece.

With all that being said, one does wonder if the Texans move on from the veteran later this summer, could they stash him on the taxi squad? It's unlikely that another team would claim Ogunbowale, so maybe that’s another potential option to keep him with the organization.

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