HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610) -- Even though the Texans' running game was largely ineffective throughout the 2020 season, their lead back did finally find a groove toward the end.
David Johnson played in 12 games for the Texans, missing three straight after suffering from a concussion and then another on the reserve-COVID-19 list as a close contact to a family member who tested positive for the virus.
Johnson finished the season ranked 17th or worst in most rushing categories. The Texans' ranked last in rush DVOA going into Sunday's season finale against the Tennessee Titans.
Johnson, though, was productive in the Texans' last three games of the season.
At Indianapolis on Dec. 20, the Texans could not get much going on the ground with Johnson but he caught 11 passes for 106 yards.
At home against the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 28, Johnson ran the ball 12 times for 128 yards and a touchdown. He also caught a touchdown pass.
Then in the finale against Tennessee, Johnson ran for 84 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown.
It didn't help the Texans win any of those games, but the potential for Johnson to be a viable weapon in this offense did finally materialize, however meaningless.
Johnson, who was the centerpiece of the trade which sent star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals in the offseason, said he visited with a mental health coach during the season to help with his focus.
"I definitely think my production picked up, got a lot better," Johnson said after Sunday's 41-38 loss to the Titans. "I think the biggest thing was I talked to a mental health coach, and he really just helped me focus on the play at hand. Don't think too much in the past, one play at a time, what's important now, and really just focusing on what's in front of me because there's a lot of distractions with this off-season, with the virus, with everything going on with this organization.
"I think that was the biggest thing that I needed to do was just sit down – especially after the concussion, after a tough and a weird injury – and I think just talking to him really helped me out.”
Johnson, 29, is owed $9 million in 2021 and the Texans would have a dead cap hit of $2.1 million if he is released. Johnson said he does want to return to the Texans next season.