Ex-Vikings RB Hits Waiver Wire
The Houston Texans have a 51.4% probability of reaching the playoffs in 2023 per ESPN, odds totally enhanced by rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud and, last week, former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum.
Ex-Vikings RB Hits Waiver Wire
And if Houston does attend the regular season afterparty, it might do so without another former Viking, running back Mike Boone.
The Texans waived Boone on Monday to make room for defensive tackle addition Teair Tart, sending the veteran runner to waivers where any team can scoop him.
KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweeted, “Waived by Texans running back Mike Boone is a candidate to rejoin them on practice squad, per sources. Could see him getting action on waiver claims. He has run for 23 yards on five carries, seven catches for 40 yards, four kickoff returns for 66 yards.”
Until Monday, Boone lived in RB3-RB4 territory on the Texans’ depth chart among men like Devin Singletary, Dameon Pierce, and Dare Ogunbowale. If no club adds Boone, he could rejoin the Texans’ practice squad, as Wilson mentioned.
Houston was high on Boone during the preseason, on tap for somewhat significant regular season contribution. “He’s an explosive runner. He has dynamic speed. He showed a little glimpse of that in the game, and he has continued to move forward. I think he’s doing some good things for us,” head coach Demeco Ryans said about Boone in August.
Boone joined the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2018 and stayed attached to the depth chart for three seasons. He then signed with the Broncos for two years, in 2021 and 2022, and used free agency for his career’s third chapter in Houston this offseason.
The 28-year-old mentioned in August about his 2023 role, “I want to come in and help out any way I can, whether on the ground or routes out of the backfield. However I can add my versatility to the offense. I’m willing to do that.”
The Texans rank 29th in the NFL after 15 weeks per rushing DVOA, so its gameplan to date largely hasn’t worked. Many NFL pundits — especially those specializing in fantasy football — expected Dameon Pierce to launch into RB1 stardom. That didn’t happen. At all.
Boone is known for speed and could latch on anywhere as a serviceable RB2-RB3 option. In all likelihood, he’ll clear waivers and return to Houston’s practice squad, but we shall see.
The Texans travel to Cleveland this weekend for a date with the Browns and are a 2.5-point favorite.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
You must be logged in to post a comment.