Texans' Miller downgraded to out vs. Eagles

Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller has been downgraded from questionable to out for Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles due to an ankle injury.

Miller suffered the injury last week during a win over the New York Jets, but Texans head coach Bill O'Brien said on Friday that he had a "chance" to play through the issue.

Houston has nearly secured the AFC South. However, the team is still in a fight with the New England Patriots for a first-round bye in the playoffs. The Patriots sit one game behind the Texans.

With Miller sidelined, Alfred Blue will likely take over the lead role in the Texans' backfield. The backup runner has recorded 473 yards and two touchdowns on 143 rushing attempts this season. His average of 3.3 yards per carry languishes far behind Miller's 4.8, the 19th-best mark in the league out of 52 qualified running backs, according to ESPN.