Deshaun Watson May Not Want Houston, But Mark Ingram Does

As much as Deshaun Watson wants out of Houston, Mark Ingram seems to want in. And it looks like he's going to get his wish. The Alabama product is expected to sign with the Texans, a source told Adam Schefter with ESPN.

The two parties reached a one-year, $3 million deal.

It's an odd pairing. One would think Ingram would want to join a Super Bowl contender, but we also don't know what his market looked like prior to the signing.

From Houston's end, it's just as perplexing. There was a need for an RB2 after Duke Johnson was released late last month. David Johnson restructured his contract in order to stay in Houston, and now Ingram wants to join him in that backfield. It may be an odd pairing, but it's still a good one.

Ingram signed with the Baltimore Ravens prior to the 2019 season when he was 29 years old, and he rewarded them by totaling 1,265 yards (1,018 rushing, 247 receiving) and 15 touchdowns in his first season.

His second season saw a drastic decline after the team drafted JK Dobbins in the second-round of the 2020 NFL draft. In nine games, Ingram totaled 78 touches for 349 yards and two scores. He was a healthy scratch is several games, so the writing was on the wall regarding his status with the team.

With Dobbins and Gus Edwards as the Ravens' future, there was little need for Ingram to remain.

That's why the former first-round pick was released almost immediately after the team's final game.

Now at 31, he'll be the No. 2 behind Johnson, who might find himself with heavier usage in Year 2 with the Texans. It's an older backfield, but it should also be a reliable one -- as long as both players can stay healthy.

For a team in need of a rebuild, it makes sense to have two older running backs on short contracts. They can provide veteran leadership to what could be a young quarterback without forcing a long-term commitment from the Texans.

Follow Clint Lamb on Twitter @ClintRLamb.