University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass Great Marcel Shipp Signs With Houston Texans
August 18, 2008 | Football
Aug. 18, 2008
HOUSTON, Texas -- The Houston Texans signed running back Marcel Shipp Monday morning to add depth to a backfield that has been contending with injuries. Shipp, an eight-year veteran who was released by the Arizona Cardinals in early August, practiced with the team after inking the deal at Reliant Stadium. Shipp is UMass' all-time leading rusher.
"Well, it's a tough situation because first off he's a good football player," head coach Gary Kubiak said. "He played very well in Arizona. He's a good special teams player as well. Coming this late to a camp (is tough), but we'll watch him on the scout team stuff he did today, assess our situation as we move forward and hopefully we can give him a chance to be competitive here before camp is over."
With Pro Bowler Ahman Green expected to be out the next two weeks with a strained groin, the team needed a veteran who could help shoulder the load with rookie Steve Slaton and sixth-year pro Chris Brown, who missed time at the beginning of training camp with back spasms.
"They are bringing another veteran on the team," Shipp said. "It's my eighth season. I'm a special teams guy, an offensive guy. I can fit in pretty much wherever they need me."
As a sophomore at UMass, he was a first team All-America selection. As a junior, he was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award. Shipp finished his career with 5,383 rushing yards, which ranks sixth on the Division I-AA football career record list. In 1998 he helped UMass win a National Championship. In the game he rushed for a record 244 yards and three Touchdowns.
Shipp joined the Cardinals in 2001 as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Massachusetts. Over the next two seasons, he rushed for 1,664 yards and averaged four yards per carry. Shipp had difficulty regaining his form after suffering a leg injury that forced him to miss the 2004 season. Last year, the 5-11, 224-pound running back ran for just 41 yards on 15 carries.
"It's kind of different wearing a Texans' helmet, but I'm happy to be here," Shipp said. "I want to contribute to the team and be a part of something."
The Texans made room on their roster for Shipp by placing guard Fred Weary on injured reserve. An original member of the Texans since 2002, Weary has struggled to come back from a leg injury he suffered on Dec. 2 against Tennessee. Recently, he's suffered from a hamstring issue in his right leg.
