Texans Rushing Struggles: Josh Pitsenberger as Potential Solution

The Houston Texans are currently weighing a reunion with undrafted rookie running back Josh Pitsenberger as they struggle to find any semblance of a rushing attack during a disappointing 2-5 start to the 2026 season. According to reporting from KPRC 2 Houston’s Aaron Wilson, the 6-foot ball-carrier visited the team on Tuesday, leaving the door open for a potential roster spot as the team faces a critical crossroads in its playoff pursuit.

Houston currently ranks 29th in the NFL, averaging a meager 84.7 rushing yards per game and a dismal 3.6 yards per carry. With primary back David Montgomery nursing a groin injury and struggling significantly when active, the pressure on quarterback CJ Stroud has become unsustainable. If the Texans cannot establish a ground game, Stroud remains a sitting duck for opposing defenses.

A Yale Standout Returns to the Fold

Pitsenberger is a familiar face in Houston, having spent time with the squad during training camp before an ankle injury forced his release. While he didn’t leave Tuesday’s visit with a signed contract, KPRC 2 Houston’s Aaron Wilson reports that the “door is not closed” on a return. For a team with limited options, Pitsenberger represents a high-upside gamble based on his collegiate pedigree.

Houston texans quarterback cj stroud greets running back joshua pitsenberger during the nfl football teams practice thursday

During his senior season at Yale, Pitsenberger was a force of nature for the Bulldogs, racking up 1,597 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns. That level of production is exactly what DeMeco Ryans and offensive coordinator Nick Caley are missing. The current backfield, featuring Montgomery and Woody Marks, has failed to post any standout production, leaving the offense one-dimensional and predictable.

The stakes for this decision are immediate. Houston heads into a road game this Sunday against the win-less Los Angeles Chargers. While the opponent is struggling, the Texans’ inability to balance their attack makes them vulnerable.

The Cost of a Broken Ground Game

For the Texans, the lack of a threat in the backfield means defenses can commit more resources to rushing the passer or dropping more men into coverage to disrupt Stroud’s timing.

No immediate signing for former #Texans running back Josh Pitsenberger, per league source, but door not closed. An undrafted rookie from @yalefootball and former Ivy League Offensive Player of the Year, he was released during preseason with injury settlement for ankle injury. https://t.co/6NDfdsK3OX

— https://x.com/AaronWilson_NFL/status/2115227683059908998

Metric	Houston Texans (2026 Season)	NFL Rank
Rushing Yards Per Game	84.7	29th
Yards Per Carry	3.6	Bottom Tier
Current Record	2-5	N/A

Some might argue that the Texans should lean more on Stroud’s arm, as the team has failed to establish its running game over the last couple of years.

The question now is whether an undrafted rookie from the Ivy League can translate collegiate dominance into NFL production on a week’s notice. Pitsenberger has the size and the track record, but he has yet to prove he can handle the speed and violence of the professional game after his preseason injury.

GM Nick Caserio has reportedly avoided hitting the panic button following a recent overtime loss to the Giants, but the standings tell a different story. With the season slipping away, the Texans aren’t just looking for a player; they are looking for a spark. Whether that spark comes from Pitsenberger or another external addition, the status quo is no longer an option.

Houston is betting that they can find a solution before the 2-5 record becomes an insurmountable hole. The Chargers may be winless, but for a Texans offense that can’t run the ball, every Sunday is a gamble.