The Houston Texans selected Kahale Warring in Round 3 of the 2019 NFL Draft. With a selection in the top-100 of last year’s draft, no team would really want to give up on that high of a pick.
However, Warring didn’t have a rookie season due to a concussion in preseason that landed him on injured reserve. On top of that, second-year tight end Jordan Akins, also a third-rounder, and free agent Darren Fells locked down the top two spots on the depth chart.
The Texans aren’t giving up on Warring, and the former San Diego State product isn’t giving up on himself.
“Warring gets better every day,” coach and general manager Bill O’Brien told the Houston Chronicle’s John McClain. “He’s a really hard worker. Great young player. A guy that has really learned how to play football at this level each and every day.”
Akins and Fells are still the top two tight ends on the depth chart, and former 2018 sixth-round pick Jordan Thomas, who also had his 2019 season pocked with injuries, is fighting to not be forgotten. The battle at tight end will continue into the regular season.
In the meantime, Warring is finding ways to make himself useful beyond his role on the offense as a pass-catcher or a blocker. The 6-5, 250-pound ex-water polo player is also working on his coverage on kickoffs.
“I mean, he’s doing what we’re asking him to do,” O’Brien said. “He covers some kicks. He’s what you call a mid-sized guy that can run. He’s got toughness, so he’s doing a good job.”
If Warring can beat out Thomas for the third tight end spot, or convince the Texans to keep four tight ends throughout the regular season, it should bode well for a player who needs all the experience and acclimation he can get.
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