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Former W&M star Jonathan Grimes discovering his role with Houston Texans

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RICHMOND — Some audible cheers of his name from the crowd surely reminded Jonathan Grimes that he wasn’t in Houston anymore.

Listed as the third-string running back for the Houston Texans, the former William and Mary star welcomed his return to the area Thursday when the Texans and Washington Redskins held the first of three joint practices at the Redskins’ training center.

“Definitely (good to be back),” he said. “It’s really nice here. It’s good to be back on the East Coast.”

Grimes, four years removed from W&M, is fighting for playing time with the Texans, whether it be in the backfield or on special teams. He played in all 16 games for Houston last year, rushing for 153 yards on 39 carries while also catching six passes.

With the recent injury to first-string running back Arian Foster, Grimes might have a clearer path.

Foster suffered a groin injury Monday and is out for an unspecified amount of time. Now the only back in front of Grimes is LSU product Alfred Blue, who started three games last season and ran for 528 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Behind Grimes on the depth chart is Chris Polk, whom the Texans signed out of free agency in April. He ran for 172 yards in 14 games with the Philadelphia Eagles last year.

“Grimes has had a good training camp,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “He’s strung about three good practices in a row here. He’s one of our core special-teams guys. He’s a guy that really knows our offense well. He plays on third down a lot. Now with Arian out, he’s playing more on first and second down in certain packages.

“He’s a really dependable guy. We enjoy coaching him.”

After going undrafted in 2012, Grimes was with the Texans through training camp before being released and later signed to the practice squad. He then signed with and played three games for the New York Jets, catching two passes and taking two carries, and then was released and picked up by the Texans on waivers.

He spent 2013 training camp with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but was released again. He finally signed again with the Texans in December 2013.

Grimes is under contract with the Texans through this season at the minimum.

“Everything’s been going really well,” Grimes said. “Ever since I’ve been in the league, I’ve tried to control the things I can control and tried to stay as consistent as possible.

“I’ve been pretty consistent. I know my role on this team. Special teams is a big thing, as is receiving out of the backfield and pass protection. I’m just going to be ready to step up and do whatever they ask me.”

Grimes is W&M’s all-time leader in all-purpose yards. He holds the single-season record for rushing yards with 1,431 in 2011. He also starred as a kick returner for the Tribe and is the program’s leader in career return yards.

He said he gets back to Williamsburg each summer to catch up with Coach Jimmye Laycock and the staff.

Grimes said he’s given some advice to former W&M defensive end Jasper Coleman, an undrafted rookie competing for a spot on the Texans’ roster.

“I know when I came in the league at first, I didn’t know how big special teams was,” Grimes said. “I made sure I harped on (Coleman) about that. … I just told him to stay in the playbook and try to be as consistent as possible.”

Grimes said one of his college teammates was in attendance Thursday, and that his family was planning to make the trip from New Jersey this weekend.

After some bouncing around in the early stages of his career, Grimes feels comfortable with where he is. All that’s left is to earn some more playing time.

“I think I’m finding my niche,” he said. “I like being a part of this organization. I love working hard and trying to make my team better.”

Note:

The Redskins’ Friday walkthrough, scheduled for 4:10 p.m., is canceled. The teams will still practice together at 8:35 a.m. Friday and 10:35 a.m. Saturday.