Former Denver Broncos Pro Bowl running back Phillip Lindsay has struggled to carve a role in Houston with the Texans, and he’s been cut.
It was almost one year ago to the date when former Pro Bowl running back Phillip Lindsay had his last “good” NFL game. On November 22, 2020, Lindsay ran for 82 yards on 16 carries as the Denver Broncos put on a strong offensive performance against the Miami Dolphins.
Only 12 months later, Lindsay has been surprisingly cut midseason by the Houston Texans.
The only undrafted running back in NFL history to make the Pro Bowl as a rookie has had a substantial dropoff in production and effectiveness, carrying the ball 95 times for an average of 2.5 yards per carry and two total touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving) since that game against the Dolphins.
Former Denver Broncos Pro Bowl RB Phillip Lindsay cut by the Texans
A surprise: The #Texans are cutting RB Phillip Lindsay, source said. He heads to waivers.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 23, 2021
Lindsay had multiple games this season with the Texans where he finished with negative yardage, including his final game with the team when he had just one carry for -3 yards.
Even after Houston traded away Mark Ingram, Lindsay couldn’t solidify a role ahead of either David Johnson or Rex Burkhead, and the Texans have decided to move on.
Houston signed a ton of players this past offseason to one-year deals, Lindsay among them.
Now, the former Broncos Pro Bowler will hit waivers and could be claimed by any other NFL team.
When Lindsay hit free agency, his market didn’t materialize has he had likely hoped. The Texans were a decent landing spot at the time, but injuries have happened across the NFL since then, and he should have little trouble finding another opportunity.
It will be interesting to see if he gets claimed or if teams let him pass through waivers so he can hit free agency. Teams that initially would make some sense include the New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, and Baltimore Ravens, though I’m sure other teams would love to add Lindsay’s speed to their backfield at this point in the season.
Given his track record and ability to score from any part of the field, it would be surprising if Lindsay had to wait very long to join another squad.
Would the Denver Broncos consider a reunion?
Kareem Jackson came back after the Broncos declined the team option on his contract, right?
The Carolina Panthers did bring back Cam Newton, so nothing is impossible, but that would seem unlikely. Even with Mike Boone struggling with injuries and Lindsay being an upgrade in the running game over Damarea Crockett, you would really need Lindsay to play special teams and he hasn’t done a lot of that in his NFL career.
Not that he wouldn’t.
If Lindsay was amenable to returning, it would be interesting to see how that might play out. The Broncos did originally give him a restricted free agent tender this offseason, one that was rescinded after the Mike Boone signing.
Lindsay has returned some kicks and punts in his career, and Diontae Spencer hasn’t been a real game-changer in that department this season. Perhaps Lindsay could be utilized there as well as a change of pace offensively if Boone isn’t able to go.
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Even if he doesn’t come back this season to Denver, everyone in Broncos Country is wishing the best for the Colorado Kid.