The Houston Texans are bringing back a familiar face at running back.
The Texans have agreed to re-sign Dare Ogunbowale to a one-year deal, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rappaport. Ogunbowale became a fan favorite down the stretch as Houston secured its first division title in four years.
The #Texans are re-signing RB and core special teamer Dare Ogunbowale, source said. A third-down back, Ogunbowale earned national fame with a successful field goal last season, and with the new kickoff rules, anything is possible. He gets a 1-year deal. pic.twitter.com/3r6j0nreEk
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 21, 2024
Ogunbowale has spent the last two seasons with the Texans, mostly factoring in on special teams. Every once in a while, the 5-foot-11, 200-pound rusher will see snaps on offense as a change-of-pace player or in the red zone.
Last season, Ogunbowale finished with eight carries for 35 yards. Since joining the Texans, he’s rushed for 158 yards and a touchdown in 29 games, while also adding 22 receptions for 122 yards as a receiving threat.
NFL fans outside of Houston likely remember Ogunbowale not for his rushing style but rather for his kicking. In Week 9’s win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Texans turned to their “emergency kicker” after Ka’imi Fairbairn suffered a quad injury in the second quarter,
He’d deliver twice, once on kickoff to begin the second half and another on a field goal attempt. Ogunbowale drilled a 29-yard field goal to put Houston up 33-30.
What is even happening in this game
pic.twitter.com/7Ynjfmplt1
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) November 5, 2023
“Dare stepped in, and he did a really nice job for us,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said in the postgame. “We were confident he can make it from there. And he proved us right, so credit Dare. He’s truly the player of the game. Him stepping up the way he did for us was outstanding by him.”
Houston, which owns nine picks heading into Thursday’s NFL draft, still could target a running back to join Ogunbowale, Joe Mixon, Dameon Pierce and the 22nd-ranked rushing attack from a season ago.
Several Day 3 prospects, including Troy’s Kimani Vidal, Louisville’s Isaac Guerendo and Missouri’s Cody Schrader, all could be options between Rounds 5-7.