Ryan Torain: The Next Texans Running Back?

by Jake on Aug 12, 2009 8:45 PM CDT in News

In the midst of the injury problems that are currently plaguing the Houston Texans, an injury may have provided some good fortune to the team that plays in the Bayou City. Ryan Torain was waived from the Broncos today after straining his knee in practice Wednesday.

Torain is a risk given his injury history. He fell to the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft, but was considered by many as a steal for Mike Shanahan's Broncos because he seemed ideal to run in a zone-blocking system. He was a complete back at Arizona State after transferring from a junior college. Torain hit holes with authority and also had excellent hands as shown by his 5.5 yards per carry and 12.2 yards per catch for his collegiate career.

His professional career got off to a rough start when his elbow was fractured in 2008 training camp, which derailed his impressive showing in camp to that point. Once Torain made it back on the active roster, he made it one game against the Browns before he tore his ACL.

This seems like a track record for continued disappointment, but it may not be so. Josh McDaniels signed every free agent running back with a pulse this offseason, and many speculated that Torain would be an early casualty. As stated before, Torain is ideal for the zone system that is no longer utilized in Denver due to the regime change. It should be noted as well that Torain had been one of the pleasant surprises early in Denver training camp before he strained his knee.

The Texans would be taking a risk on Torain, but it would be a calculated one. Torain would likely be signed for the minimum, and would join a stable of unproven backs behind Steve Slaton. At 6'1" 225, Torain would be a phenomenal compliment to the smaller Slaton if he could stay healthy. If he continued to be a brittle player, what would the Texans have to lose? It seems like a low risk/high reward move to me.

What do you think BRB? Is the upside of Torain worth the risk of signing another injury prone running back?

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Never heard of the guy, but since we have a knack for bringing over Denver’s players…why the hell not

by schillingb on Aug 12, 2009 9:05 PM CDT reply actions

He's young and talented, and won't cost much

In a word: yes.

by BigTexBD on Aug 12, 2009 9:35 PM CDT reply actions

Haha

I posted the same story at the same time.

BRING THIS GUY IN!

If they want to claim him off waivers, they’d have to pick up his contract – which is not big AT ALL… but if the Texans don’t claim him, the Broncos say they are going to put him on IR, so we wouldn’t have a shot at him unless they released him with an injury settlement – then we could sign him for the minimum if we wanted to.

Chris - www.HoustonDiehards.com

by HoustonDiehards on Aug 12, 2009 9:41 PM CDT reply actions

Yup

Torain could tear his groin getting off the plane at IAH and I’d still think he was less injury prone than Chris Brown.

Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...

by Tim on Aug 12, 2009 9:42 PM CDT up reply actions

lol

it’s bad karma for beating on Rihanna!

by chrisd21 on Aug 13, 2009 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions

I agree

It’s not like we’re loaded with quality backup RBs

by JimboTexan on Aug 13, 2009 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions

Another Ahman Green & Chris Brown. Yay.

Kidding. I’d give him a shot.

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by Mike Kerns on Aug 12, 2009 10:08 PM CDT reply actions

Id love to

id love to sing him to a 2 year deal…if we can have him, Foster, and Slaton as our 3 rb’s next several years that would be sweet…!

by EveryHoustonTeamRox! on Aug 12, 2009 10:11 PM CDT reply actions

He could be a stud if healthy, but he has never been

Too many ifs, however the Texans backfield is already chock full of ifs, so what’s one more. What’s the plan to carry him? How does that work? So, we get him. Then we have Slaton starting, Brown in reserve…a hangnail waiting to happen; Moats, who seems to be able to at least get his game day jersey on every Sunday; Foster, with his hammy waiting to go boing like a rubber band and who am I missing? Andre Hall? Are we picking up every castoff from the Broncos? Hold on, let me go check their depth chart and see if there are anymore coming….

It will happen

by Rip Jersey on Aug 12, 2009 10:42 PM CDT reply actions