Texans two-step around COVID roster shuffle for a win

HOUSTON — The Houston Texans had so many players on the COVID-19 list this week — 16 — that it was tough to keep up with who was on the field Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers. “We had every excuse in the book with COVID, with the holidays, with the way the season was going and we still came in and got a big-time win.” Playing without top receiver Brandin Cooks and with a makeshift offensive line missing three starters, Houston’s Rex Burkhead ran for a career-high 149 yards and two touchdowns. We knew as long as we executed, we could have a day like we had today.” It was the second 100-yard game of Burkhead’s career and first since he ran for 119 yards in the last game of the 2016 season as a Cincinnati Bengal. They’ve never really worried about what happens on the outside, all we’ve tried to do is just get better.” The Texans, who entered the game ranked last in the NFL in yards rushing, ran for a season-high 189 yards. “We knew going into this game we had to control the ball against this football team because you give the ball back to this team so much, they are very explosive.” Rookie Davis Mills threw for 254 yards and two touchdowns to get his second NFL win after starting his career 0-7.