As the team celebrates its 25th season, it is the best roster they’ve ever assembled. This mix of players gives the Texans their best chance in years to contend for a Super Bowl. They begin the season with true Super Bowl expectations, which hasn’t happened much in this team’s short history.

The talent on defense is overwhelming. It was one of the league’s best last year and has the chance to be even better. Will Anderson Jr. is a Defensive Player of the Year Candidate. Derek Stingley Jr. begins his bid for a third straight All-Pro designation. Pro Bowl-caliber players pepper the depth chart.

Defense is the specialty of DeMeco Ryans. He’s coached that side of the ball to a level worthy of a Super Bowl appearance two years in a row. It’s been the offense that’s held his defense back.

This offense, with plenty to prove, determines where the season ends.

“I expect our defense, again, to be the strength of our team,” Ryans said. “And I expect our offense to come right along with us. For us to be a good team and make it where we want to go, we have to have great defense, and we have to have great offense.”

Failure at this juncture on offense would create a multitude of questions. Who should the quarterback be going forward? Should they wipe out the offensive staff? Is this the fatal flaw of a head coach with a defensive background? That’s just the start.

Success, on the other hand, likely means championship contention.

Read more

The Bills hope things are different with some players available that missed the previous matchup and some changes on their coaching staff. The Texans have reason to believe they’ll be better.

Here are seven ways this game differs from last year.

C.J. Stroud is Playing

Stroud missed last year’s game due to a concussion. He might have played in the game had it been on Sunday instead of Thursday.

Stroud statistically lit up Buffalo in 2024. He threw for 331 yards and one touchdown. The Texans jumped out to a 14-3 lead. The offense sputtered after the hot start despite Stroud’s performance. They managed just three field goals the rest of the game. Davis Mills and the offense sputtered in the second half last year. They cobbled together just one field goal in the second half.

It doesn’t feel like a second-half sputter is as survivable, so the offense needs to pull their weight. That’s easier when the franchise quarterback is playing.

Ed Oliver is Playing

Read more

Worry About a C.J. Stroud Hangover

Read more

If both sides agree with the above statements, the next time Stroud’s contract comes up will be in 2027.

“Similar to what I said in Training Camp,” General Manager Nick Caserio said Tuesday, “we’ve had productive discussions. I would say the reality is, we will either get it figured out before the season starts or if we don’t, it’s something we will address in the offseason.”

It isn’t a rule to end contract negotiations because football is being played, but the Texans are taking that approach with Stroud. Caserio hinted that approach is sometimes influenced by players as well.

“We’ve done some deals during the season,” he said. “I would say, once players get into the season, sometimes they want to focus on football and don’t want to worry about dealing with the contract.”

It makes little sense for either side to lock in an extension now.

Read more

1. The protection for Davis Mills was not up to the level it needed to be. The backup quarterback is one of the most important insurance policies on the team. He took too much punishment in a game where I was a little surprised to see him playing. Right tackle Sam Hagen had a rough night. Jarrett Kingston replaced him, which helped improve the protection. One of the poor protection moments led to Mills tossing an interception. It looked like Mills and wide receiver Lewis Bond weren’t on the same page, but Mills was also trying to avoid a rusher.

2. George Odum has been on the Texans since Monday. He played like he was trying to stick around beyond cutdown day. He finished the day with nine tackles, an interception, and a pass deflection. Odum had some nice moments in the joint practice. He’s played a lot of football with a ton of special teams experience. If the Texans want someone with a ton of experience on the practice squad, Odum has a chance to stick around.

3. Rookie linebacker Aiden Fisher looked more comfortable. He’d had some frazzled moments in the preseason, but was around the ball a lot in this one. Most of his success came from cleaning up with someone else, but he also made some solo tackles. Fisher should get a chance to stick on the practice squad. DeMeco Ryans praised the intelligence of the defensive rookies during training camp. The lack of standout linebacker moments allowed Fisher’s mistakes to be learning opportunities and not stick out like a sore thumb.

4. The Texans have an excess of defensive tackles. Naquan Jones, Kyonte Hamilton, and Dominic Bailey should all be in consideration for a practice squad spot. All three players have had stretches during the preseason where they have done nice things. I wonder if Jones is a player that could elicit a similarly skilled player at a different position via trade. There might not be room for Hamilton and Bailey if Jones sticks around. The main roster is set at defensive tackle, but having players familiar with the system if injury strikes would be nice.

Trade Candidates

The big question about potentially trading a player is what the Texans would be pursuing. Defensive end should be at the top of the shopping list. Perhaps a veteran running back if Noah Whittington’s injury is lingering. Nick Caserio could also go about adding late-round picks in future drafts if a team ended up interested in one of these players.

Wide Receiver Jared Wayne

Jared Wayne has had a preseason worthy of a roster spot. If the Texans intend to keep him on the roster, this idea is silly. He’s a player that could absolutely be on another team if he didn’t make the Texans, so exposing him to waivers might mean losing him for nothing. Wayne could net you a useful player at another position. I waffle on if he would make it to the practice squad, but I would be willing to take that risk. Obviously, if you moved a player who was set to make the team, keeping Wayne is easier.

Offensive Lineman Jarrett Patterson

Jarrett Patterson’s snaps have not reflected a player guaranteed to make the roster. The versatility for Patterson gives him a leg up over other interior linemen. It’s quite the conundrum. He doesn’t feel like a player that would sneak onto the team’s practice squad. He’s worthy of a roster spot somewhere. He’s useful to the Texans as a backup at all three interior spots, so they’d have to like the player to make this move.

Offensive Guard Wyatt Teller

Wyatt Teller isn’t set to start for the Texans. This would be admitting defeat on one of the players signed in the offseason to help improve this offensive line. The Texans have a better understanding of what Teller would accept from a playing time standpoint. If the right team called looking for line help, and dangled the right piece that helps elsewhere, the Texans should consider it. It wouldn’t shop Teller; he could be a useful backup, but I would listen.

Read more

Here is my final roster projection.

Quarterbacks - 2

C.J. Stroud

Davis Mills

The Texans should’ve planned to keep two quarterbacks regardless of Graham Mertz’s status, but with him injured for the year, this is a lock. Brett Rypien might have a shot at the practice squad.

Running Back - 4

Read more

Here are 11 observations from the practice.

1. Dominance is how I would describe the day for the Texans. They were excellent on offense and defense throughout the practice. The Panthers barely moved the ball. The defense sacked quarterback Bryce Young nearly ten times. Houston’s offense moved the ball consistently and scored touchdowns. It was a masterful performance. DeMeco Ryans was pleased with the workout’s setup and praised the Panthers as hosts. No starters will play in the preseason game Friday. As they have in previous years, this final joint practice served as the preseason finale for most of the roster.

Read more

Boutte is entering the final year of his rookie deal and coming off his best season. He hauled in 33 catches for 551 yards and six touchdowns. He added another nine catches, 168 yards, and a touchdown in the playoffs. His 16.7 yards per reception were fourth among regularly playing wideouts last year. Boutte lined up outside for the Patriots in an offensive system similar to the one the Texans currently run.

Boutte has had plenty of success against the Texans. He played Houston in the regular season in 2024 and this past postseason. In those games, he combined for six catches, 134 yards, and two touchdowns. He’s had a lot of success against fellow LSU product Derek Stingley Jr. That’s not something many players can claim.

The price of the trade isn’t high. Reed was a fine depth piece and is young, but he wasn’t starting this season. Reed Blankenship was added in free agency to start at safety. Kamari Ramsey’s emergence in camp has helped with safety depth. Veteran safety M.J. Stewart should return from an injury at some point. Reed’s departure isn’t costly.

The season-ending injury to Jayden Higgins put the Texans in a tough spot. They were going to lean on Higgins as the main player opposite Nico Collins. His injury created a void that was difficult to fill. Tank Dell is nowhere near ready to help. Jaylin Noel got a slow start to training camp with a couple of injuries. Noel also is more of an inside presence. Xavier Hutchinson and Justin Watson haven’t shown tremendous potential as options to replace Higgins.

The Texans added a couple of veterans over the weekend, but the likelihood of Zay Jones and Sterling Shepard helping was low. Both have struggled to impact their teams in recent years.

Hutchinson had been the recipient of most of the reps vacated by Higgins. Boutte will cut into that, but Hutchinson is a better blocker. The Texans value that skill from their receivers.

It also re-ignites the debate about keeping six or seven wideouts. It feels like a team deep enough elsewhere that keeping seven wide receivers could be difficult. Lewis Bond and Jared Wayne are back in a fight for a roster spot.

Boutte was one of the few players that could make an immediate difference. His addition at this price is an easy decision for the Texans. It regains some of the explosiveness they lost. The price wasn’t too steep. An excellent move to beef up an area of need.

Practice Observations

Read more

Here are seven observations from the practice.

1. Newly signed wide receivers Zay Jones and Sterling Shepard practiced. They went through drills and were on the field for snaps in the team portion, though no passes headed their way. DeMeco Ryans said after practice that the addition of the veterans is a way to “help out” in the wide receiver room after the loss of Jayden Higgins. He noted the receivers have played in many different offensive systems. Jones had minimal success for the Arizona Cardinals before an injury ended his season. Shepard played inside and outside for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season, scoring one touchdown and posting a five-year high of 371 receiving yards. It would seem unlikely either can supplant players who have been on the team all training camp. The Texans will have an idea how helpful they can be should something else happen in their wide receiver room.

2. Jaylin Noel went through a full practice. He was sidelined initially by a pinky injury and then a hamstring issue. He looked lightning quick and showcased his speed in drills. The ball didn’t find him in the team portion, but you can see the defense had to account for his speed. With Higgins out, Noel must be a reliable player. He, more than any of his teammates, can replace the high expectations we all had for Higgins. He doesn’t need to match that, but he must be a consistently useful player in the passing attack.

3. The offense ran the ball a lot during practice. There were mixed results. This wasn’t the Las Vegas Raiders from the other night. A couple of early runs by David Montgomery gained enough yards to put the offense in third and short. Will Anderson Jr. blew past right tackle Trent Brown and sacked C.J. Stroud. It wouldn’t be the last time Anderson gave Brown fits. It wasn’t Brown’s best day of practice. Let’s pretend Anderson didn’t get home, as Stroud and the rest of the offense did. The quarterback perfectly placed a strike to tight end Dalton Schultz. It almost surprised Schultz as the pass whizzed past a defender right into his hands. Schultz was an important pass catcher last year. With the injury to Higgins, what the Texans need from Schultz will be more than what the initial expectation was when camp started.

   Share

4. The Texans practiced with the starting offensive line from the preseason game. Tommy Togiai powered past Keylan Rutledge to earn a sack. It was a rare decisive loss for the rookie offensive lineman. The line did hold up for a few nice passing plays. Stroud dialed up a beautiful toss to Nico Collins. It was a slightly messy pocket, but Stroud set, perfectly placed the ball, and Collins hauled it in as he hit the sideline. Kamari Lassiter, who had a win earlier in the day against Collins and Stroud, played it nearly perfect. But not perfect enough. The line kept Stroud clean long enough for him to get the ball out to Montgomery and Woody Marks. Marks had a particularly nice catch followed by a juke of Azeez Al-Shaair to grab a few more yards. Ryans said after practice he “loved” what he saw from that line in the preseason game. He also said there was plenty to build on from that offensive line. I suspect we will see that offensive line configuration in the joint practice. If we do, then I would expect that to be the starting line for the opener when the Texans host the Buffalo Bills.

5. Wade Woodaz has a broken thumb. The rookie linebacker was one of the highlights of the preseason game with his interception returned for a touchdown. Ryans said they will see how Woodaz recovers from the injury. Woodaz observed practice. He stepped on the field about 20 yards behind the defense at one point. He got into his linebacker stance and went through the motions of his assignments. Jamal Hill filled in on snaps Woodaz usually takes. Linebacker Jake Hummel earned praise from Ryans after practice. He said the free agent addition from this offseason has integrated himself nicely into the defense. They trust Hummel to call plays when he is on the field. Injured linebacker Jake Hansen worked on the side field.

6. Injuries persist at running back. The Texans had just three available to them during practice. Montgomery, Marks, and Owen Wright were the three healthy backs. Noah Whittington left the preseason game with an injury. British Brooks has a hand injury and is still working back. Jawhar Jordan has been missing in action for weeks. Unless a couple of the injured running backs return, I am not sure how the team makes it through joint practices, much less the preseason game. Montgomery and Marks won’t play in the preseason finale. Wright can’t handle a whole game by himself. Hopefully the lack of additions at this position means good health is on the way.

7. I asked Ryans about defensive back Brandon Codrington. The diminutive corner stands out in some way in each practice. He had an excellent preseason game the other night. I don’t believe he has a chance at a roster spot, but the way Ryans talked about him made me think he could fight to stay in the building on the practice squad. “Codrington, he tackles well, he said. “He flies around. He plays with that S.W.A.R.M. [Special Work Ethic and Relentless Mindset] mindset. I love that about him. He’s a smart player, small, undersized player, but he’s going to bring everything he has. That’s what I love about him. He brings it every single day, whether he’s covering, he’s tackling, he’s going to bring it. That’s all you ask and he’s done that. He’s done a really good job as well all camp.”

   Leave a comment

   ---

The Texans have an off day tomorrow before a practice Monday. They will travel Tuesday for their Wednesday joint practice with the Carolina Panthers.

Here are 11 observations from the game.

1. The opening drive for the Texans was fantastic. I know it wasn’t the top defenders for the Raiders, but the Texans executed well. Offensive coordinator Nick Caley leaned into the rushing attack. He followed it up with plays that let his quarterback make sound decisions. My favorite part was on third and long, the offense didn’t shy away from going for the sticks. Too many times last season the plays had throws behind the line to gain. Not during this drive. The operation looked smooth, though a Raiders penalty looked to have bailed the Texans out as they headed to the line of scrimmage with just a few seconds left on the play clock. It was a drive that was put together so well, most of the participants were done for the night.

Read more

Jayden Higgins tore his ACL in the joint practice with the Las Vegas Raiders. NFL Network was the first to report the injury.

It’s a devastating injury for the Texans. Higgins was poised to have a huge season. He looked to be in great shape, adding muscle to his frame. He and quarterback C.J. Stroud had dialed in their connection. It looked like Nico Collins would have a dynamic running mate to help take attention off of him and benefit from the focus Collins draws.

Now the team’s “next man up” mantra gets its toughest test in a long time.

The In-House Options

There is no replacing Higgins. Nobody has showcased that ability in training camp. There is not a receiver close to his talent and abilities. Replacing him likely comes from the sum of the parts.

Xavier Hutchinson has had an excellent camp. He’s never looked better than he does now. He has the versatility to move around as the Texans intended with Higgins. Hutchinson has improved every year, and the Texans will need him to continue that ascent.

DeMeco Ryans called Hutchinson a trustworthy player he can count on in any situation without missing a beat. He used the word dependability. The Texans will definitely depend on Hutchinson.

Justin Watson is a factor in replacing Higgins. He, like Hutchinson, can line up all over the field. Watson was part of the last Super Bowl-winning team for the Kansas City Chiefs, so he’s played in some big games. He was hurt most of last year, but Ryans sees success from Watson in training camp.

“He’s a really smart player,” he said last week. “He does a good job on fourth down as well. When you have a receiver who can do multiple things, play multiple spots, provide depth on fourth down and make plays there. He’s just a guy who has many different tools that we can use. It’s encouraging to see him out here and having a good camp.”

Hutchinson and Watson represent the solid options. They present a smaller variance in potential than the following options.

Jaylin Noel is the player best suited actually to replace Higgins and the upside he represented. He was drafted 35 picks after Higgins in the same draft. They were equally productive at Iowa State. Noel was the best wideout in organized team activities and minicamp. He’s unfortunately been hurt. A pinky injury on his right hand and a hamstring have kept him from practicing more than a couple of drills in training camp.

The best version of Noel could be dangerous. He can play inside and outside. He’s the fastest player on the offense. The route running looked crisp and effective. The team had him buried behind an underperforming Christian Kirk last year. He has to get on the field, and the team must find out what they have in Noel. His potential rivals that of Higgins, but he can’t show it if he can’t get on the field.

Lewis Bond and Jared Wayne were battling to make the team. The injury to Higgins should easily slide both of them onto the roster.

Bond has flashed as a rookie. He’s shown a propensity to get open, showcasing carryover knowledge in the system from his time playing under Bill O’Brien at Boston College.

He was impressing his head coach early in camp.

“Lewis has come in, and he’s made a lot of wild plays,” Ryans said. “Going back to rookie minicamp, OTAs, Lewis is a guy who stood out, making a lot of great catches, a lot of third-down wins. He made a nice one-on-one play yesterday, making a nice overhead catch. He’s doing a really good job. He’s doing a really good job. I’m excited to see him continue to flourish. He is one of those camp risers this year that’s really showcasing his talent and making a name for himself. We’ll see how he continues to grow, but I’m excited with what I’ve seen so far, just like you guys.”

Bond has less versatility, but that is a weapon for Wayne. Wayne has put together a good camp. He’s trusted to play all three spots at wide receiver. It looks to finally be coming together for a player who previously had a ceiling of the practice squad.

Those represent all the in-house options for the reps vacated by Higgins.

Outside the Building

Looking elsewhere for help is a somewhat fruitless endeavor.

DeAndre Hopkins is a free agent, but his decline has been rapid over the past two seasons. Nostalgia doesn’t score points. Free agent Brandin Cooks made it clear he didn’t like the organization on his way out a few years ago. He’s a malcontent and locker room issue waiting to happen. No other free agents are worth noting.

New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte might be headed for a new team, but the Patriots shouldn’t be lining up to help the Texans. Marvin Harrison Jr. is not getting moved by the Arizona Cardinals. He and Stroud played together at Ohio State, so I understand making the connection, but the Cardinals aren’t giving up on him yet. Most back-of-the-roster players across the league couldn’t compete with the in-house options.

The Cleveland Browns and Texans have made plenty of deals. Jerry Jeudy is a somewhat intriguing name. He’s got a bloated contract, costs a draft pick, and, depending on who you believe, hasn’t been excellent in training camp. Not the most exciting option, but he’s the most likely to help among the realistic potential additions.

The “next man up” approach is the one.

Schematically Making Up for Higgins

Offensive Coordinator Nick Caley’s job got harder this week. Ratchet up the pressure on him too.

It’s up to him to find a way to make up for the absence of Higgins.

Hutchinson, Watson, and Wayne can move around like the Texans intended to do with Higgins. They very much aren’t Higgins, so there will need to be tweaks. The importance of the slot receiver increased. Noel, Bond, and the other bodies they place there must produce.

The tight ends will be necessary. Dalton Schultz was this team’s second-leading receiver last year. While I wouldn’t anticipate that volume, Schultz is a trusty element for Stroud to lean on. Marlin Klein is on this team for his receiving ability. The rookie has showcased it throughout camp. Foster Moreau and Cade Stover aren’t absolute zeroes catching the ball either.

For the love of all that his holy, throw the ball to David Montgomery and Woody Marks. They’re capable backs who can help in the passing game. Montgomery has done it multiple times in his career. It was an under-utilized aspect of Marks last season.

If you expected around 100 targets for Higgins, most of those can be handled by the wideouts replacing him. Add in a little bump for the expectation of the tight ends. Ferry targets to the running backs.

Oh, and a little more for Nico Collins wouldn’t hurt anyone’s feelings. In fact, Collins feels like an underserved top wideout. Force a few more his way.

Caley, Stroud, and the offense must rebound. It’s unfortunate what has happened, but overcoming this injury is necessary. It might have dampened the Super Bowl hype, but it didn’t eliminate it. The Texans can overcome this.

What to Watch For in Preseason Game Two

Here are the four things (and a bonus special teams thing) I am watching the closest from tonight’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

1. Lewis Bond is suddenly more important. I want to see more punt return duties for Bond in addition to plenty of routes. Let’s see him early in the game too so he plays against some of the starters for the Raiders. Jared Wayne’s participation is important as well. Wayne, like Higgins, left practice. His status is unknown. If he’s playing, that’s great news for Wayne and the wide receivers.

2. Noah Whittington can further clamp down on a roster spot. The rookie running back has done everything the Texans have asked of a player vying for a spot on the team. Run with patience? Check. Run with vision? Check. Run with violence? Check. Catch the ball? Check. Help on special teams? Check. Stay healthy? Check. Whittington just needs to keep it rolling. He’s been one of the surprises of training camp.

3. Kayden McDonald mauled the Raiders for a big stop in joint practice. Let’s see some more of that. The rookie eats double teams, but when he only has one man to beat, let’s see him beat them. McDonald hasn’t had many bad moments, but he could use a few more standout plays on his training camp resume.

4. There are linebacker jobs to be won. Azeez Al-Shaair and Henry To’oTo’o shouldn’t get close to playing in this game. Every other linebacker should play. The Raiders intend to play starters. Get these linebackers plenty of reps. Wade Woodaz seems to be settling in behind the starters, but it is depth chart chaos behind him. Jake Hummel had some nice moments in joint practice. Marte Mapu needs to bounce back from his disastrous preseason opener. I haven’t noted Jamal Hill much in training camp. Rookie Aiden Fisher could steal a spot. There is so much uncertainty at linebacker; Jake Hansen should be considered a lock if he gets healthy before the end of camp.

5. Punter Kai Kroeger hasn’t escaped my watchful eye. Just replicate the punting success from the first preseason game, and I will be happy.

Leave a comment

Read more

Here are 11 observations from the practice.

1. The Texans were the clear winners of practice as much as you can win a joint practice, that is. The Texans scored more. The defense kept the Raiders out of the end zone except for a few plays. The offense had the attention coming into this practice after going against their own defense. It is much easier to move the ball against the Las Vegas Raiders. DeMeco Ryans seemed pleased with what his team accomplished during this workout. It wasn’t perfect, but there was far more good than bad.

Read more

Here are 11 observations from the practice.

1. The offense was consistently inconsistent again. I don’t think it is too much to ask for the offense to rip the defense apart one practice. Is it? Against this defense, I suppose that’s a tough task. It felt like there might be some juice to the offense in this practice, and then the defense put the squeeze on them yet again. It is rare for the offense to string a few positive plays in a row.

2. I’m not ready to worry about the offensive line. Not yet. There is some concern on the horizon, though. There are too many plays where the rushing attack is bottled up around the line of scrimmage. C.J. Stroud has to contend with pressure more than he should each day. The plays where the offense moves the ball on the ground seem like a Herculean effort. It’s not all bad, but there is a lack of consistency.

Read more

Here are seven observations from the practice.

1. DeMeco Ryans said they wanted the first unit on the field after most sat out the first preseason game. It’s a busy week for the Texans with the Las Vegas Raiders coming to town. The team will have a joint practice with the Raiders on Tuesday and then play them in a preseason game on Thursday. He said the team is getting a small taste of their in-season routine leading into the matchup with the Raiders. Ryans also said he expects every healthy player to get time in the preseason game. It was a solid day with a few nice offensive plays but mostly dominated by the defense. I scored it as a unanimous decision for the defense.

2. Xavier Hutchinson was the standout offensive player during practice. C.J. Stroud hit him for two huge gains. Hutchinson was wide open for the first big reception. An expertly executed play action had him running with no defenders near him. It was the easiest big play of training camp for Stroud. The next toss took a little setting up. Stroud acted like he was throwing a screen but didn’t. Hutchinson flew off the line past Kamari Lassiter. He had a few steps on the defender, and Stroud dropped it right in the bucket. The offense tried to go to the well one more time with Hutchinson, but Stroud had to place it too far because of good coverage. This is the best Hutchinson has ever looked as a receiver. He is listed on the unofficial depth chart ahead of Jaylin Noel. As Noel’s finger injury lingers, it becomes more likely Hutchinson and Noel are closer in potential usefulness on this offense than anyone could’ve predicted. Hutchinson has some potential on kickoff returns, though I feel he likely is behind a few players as an option there.

Read more

Here are 11 observations from the game.

1. The first offensive possession of the night was the best for the Texans. Davis Mills led a drive that covered 75 yards in 11 plays. The Texans had success on the ground and through the air. Mills was well protected. The rush with Xavier Hutchinson as the first play was a cheeky call from offensive coordinator Nick Caley. A ticky-tack penalty helped the Texans out on their fourth-down try. Mills missed a wide-open Hutchinson who would’ve walked in for a touchdown, but a defender was a little handsy with another pass catcher. Mills would finish the scoring drive a few plays later.

2. Running back Noah Whittington was one of the brightest spots of the night.

Read more

While starters don’t need this game, plenty of roster hopefuls can strengthen their case with a good performance. DeMeco Ryans made it clear what he’s looking for in the preseason opener.

Here are 11 players to watch closely during the preseason game.

Center/Guard Keylan Rutledge #66

The top pick for the Texans should play in this game. He is still learning the center position, and this will be his first chance to snap the ball against an opponent. Rutledge has been as advertised, showcasing his nastiness, athleticism, and agility. Hopefully, playing in this game, Rutledge keeps his aggression in check and doesn’t have it spill into a spot where it hurts the team on the field. That’s something DeMeco Ryans has been clear about regarding the scraps Rutledge has been part of during camp.

Cornerback Collin Wright #37

Wright has been around the ball constantly in training camp. If he isn’t intercepting the passes, he’s batting them down. It’s been quite the rise for the undrafted free agent out of Stanford. He hasn’t faced premium wide receivers much, but this is another box to check in his quest to surprise everyone and steal a roster spot.

Houston Football

11 Observations From Day 11 of Houston Texans Training Camp

The Houston Texans had their 11th day of training camp on Tuesday. It was a scrimmage-type workout…

Read more

a month ago · 12 likes · 3 comments · Cody Stoots

Tight End Marlin Klein #83

Klein has had some nice receiving moments in training camp. He’s scored a couple of touchdowns over the last few workouts. The blocking hasn’t stood out, but this game presents an opportunity for him to display all elements of his ability. Get Klein on the field with Cade Stover and let’s see the duo display some of the parts of the playbook that depth at tight end has opened up.

Defensive Tackle Kayden McDonald #93

McDonald hasn’t been disappointing, but he hasn’t been amazing in training camp. His skills should translate better to a situation like a preseason game. The Texans have plenty of veteran defensive tackles, so they don’t need McDonald to be awesome right away, but they wouldn’t turn down McDonald stuffing runs and ruining plays from the interior.

Wide Receiver Lewis Bond #82

Bond has flashed in training camp with some tough catches over the middle. He isn’t making plays every day, but he’s making enough to stay on the radar. This preseason game should present plenty of opportunities for him. He should be the top slot receiver when this game kicks off, and playing into the second half isn’t out of the question. I’d also like to see Bond return some punts to see if that is a tool he has in his toolbelt.

Linebacker Wade Woodaz #30

Woodaz has a chance to be the top linebacker behind Azeez Al-Shaair and Henry To’oTo’o. Linebackers have some of the most potential to catch a coach’s eye in preseason games. They call the defense, have to cover in the pass game, and can go and attack basic rushing plays. It’s a buffet of opportunity. Woodaz’s special teams usefulness should be on display as well.

Houston Football

11 Observations From Day 10 of Houston Texans Training Camp

The Houston Texans were back at practice for their 10th day of training camp…

Read more

a month ago · 11 likes · 5 comments · Cody Stoots

Running Back Noah Whittington #26

Whittington showed up before Jawhar Jordan’s injury, but he’s really taken off since Jordan has missed time. This is a game tailor-made to showcase what Whittington can do. He has displayed patience in the run game and vision to follow blocks. A big showing here could put pressure on Jordan for the third running back spot.

Safety Kamari Ramsey #27

Ramsey has done nothing bad in camp, but it has been a few days since he has stood out. With key members of the secondary expected to be sitting, Ramsey should see plenty of playing time. If Ramsey can do his best Calen Bullock impersonation in this game, that would be a great thing to see.

Wide Receiver Daniel Sobkowicz #17

Sobkowicz has done little in camp. A good showing in a preseason game might be just what he needs. The slow start probably put him in danger of missing out on a shot at the practice squad, but there is time to work his way back into consideration. This is a crowded wide receiver room with plenty of potential practice squad players.

Guard Febechi Nwaiwu #64

Nwaiwu is going to make the roster. His goal in training camp is to create confidence that if he is one snap away, there isn’t a massive drop-off in production. Nwaiwu has teamed up with some tackles to bulldoze defenders in camp. It would be great to see him handle his business in the preseason game.

Punter Kai Kroeger #38

Kroeger had his best day punting during Tuesday’s practice. He’s been shaky during camp, despite outlasting Jack Stonehouse to be the team’s lone punter. Kroeger must be consistent for the rest of the way to avoid being supplanted by a veteran after cutdown day. Rattling off back-to-back solid days punting would be a good start to keeping his job.

Read more

Here are 11 observations from the practice.

1. DeMeco Ryans said he was unhappy with Monday’s practice. He wanted to see the team respond, and he liked what he saw in Tuesday’s dress rehearsal. Ryans said the goal was to simulate a game day ahead of the preseason opener. He wanted the players to hit the field, with no coaches looking over their shoulders, and see how they performed. Ryans, defensive coordinator Matt Burke, offensive coordinator Nick Caley, and special teams coordinator Frank Ross all wore headsets, as did other coaches. The team even had staff in the coach’s box upstairs.

2. C.J. Stroud’s best throw of the day didn’t count. Stroud unloaded a pass down deep right side of the field for Nico Collins. Collins was past the defense and caught the ball for what was a gain of nearly 50 yards. Stroud would’ve never gotten the ball off in a live rep, and it wouldn’t have stood if he did. Danielle Hunter flew in from one side and would’ve sacked Stroud. Braden Smith committed a blatant hold that earned him a flag. The coaching staff still moved the ball into the red zone. Stroud had to throw the ball away on the next play, and then disaster struck. A defensive lineman batted the ball as Stroud tried to pass it left. The pass fluttered in the air before it landed in the hands of Azeez Al-Shaair. It was a red zone turnover that would drive the offense crazy in a real game.

Read more

Here are 11 observations from the workout.

1. The defensive line turned practice into an all-you-can-eat buffet. The offense had a disappointing day protecting C.J. Stroud. There have been stretches where the defensive line has had success, but it felt like there were stretches where they manhandled the offensive line. The interior was one of the weaker spots. The rushing attack didn’t have many notable moments. It was a sound, unanimous decision win for the defense.

Read more

Here are 11 observations from the practice.

1. The Texans did their closest simulation of a game in this practice. Their third team period was 30 minutes and included the melding of offense, defense, and special teams. The day, as a whole, was a knockout for the defense. They were tough on the offense, even with a day off for Derek Stingley Jr. While it was a good day for the defense, there were still a handful of good moments for the offense. Both coordinators lamented aspects of the practice they were unhappy with when they spoke afterward.

2. The defense was flying around by the middle of practice. C.J. Stroud and the offense had to contend with consistent pressure, including blitzes. Stroud didn’t handle all the pressure as well as he has up to this point. Safety Reed Blankenship flew through the line of scrimmage untouched on one blitz. Stroud attempted to get rid of the ball quickly to Xavier Hutchinson, but the pass was too far to Hutchinson's side. It felt like Stroud and Hutchinson weren’t on the same page on a few quick throws. It could’ve simply been the pressure that caused the miscommunications and missed throws.

Read more

Here are 11 observations from the practice.

1. Red zone work ended practice, but let’s start there. C.J. Stroud and the offense had about 20 seconds to score a touchdown from inside the 20. A good pass was well defended as Stroud tried to hit Dalton Schultz in the back of the end zone. Xavier Hutchinson couldn’t haul in a catch in bounds as a defender shoved him out. Stroud would make the most of his next pass. He stepped up past pressure from Will Anderson Jr. and fired a laser to Jayden Higgins in the back of the end zone. Touchdown. It was great awareness from Stroud to step up, even though there’s an argument to be made that Anderson would have sacked him in a live rep.

Read more