Tag: Charles Omenihu

Texans vs. Vikings Thursday injury report: RB Duke Johnson a full participant

The Houston Texans released their Thursday injury report ahead of their Week 4 encounter with the Minnesota Vikings.

The Houston Texans released their Thursday injury report ahead of their Week 4 game with the Minnesota Vikings.

Running back Duke Johnson (ankle) was a full participant for the first time since Week 1. After seven consecutive practices as a limited participant, Johnson had his first full practice since Sept. 8.

Inside linebacker Zach Cunningham (groin), receiver Will Fuller (hamstring), fullback Cullen Gillaspia (concussion), defensive tackle P.J. Hall (groin), cornerback Lonnie Johnson (illness), inside linebacker Peter Kalambayi (hamstring), and defensive end Charles Omenihu (knee) were limited participants in practice.

Houston had no players who were held out of practice.

For the Vikings, cornerback Mike Hughes (neck) did not participate.

Cornerback Kris Boyd (hamstring), cornerback Cameron Dantzler (rib), and tackle Olisaemeka Udoh (finger) were limited in practice.

Minnesota had no injured players who were full participants in practice.

Texans vs. Vikings Wednesday injury report: DE Charles Omenihu did not participate

The Houston Texans held their first practice ahead of their Week 4 game with the Minnesota Vikings and DE Charles Omenihu did not participate.

The Houston Texans released their first practice report ahead of their Week 4 game with the Minnesota Vikings Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT at NRG Stadium.

Defensive end Charles Omenihu did not participate with a knee injury.

Inside linebacker Zach Cunningham (groin), fullback Cullen Gillaspia (concussion), defensive tackle P.J. Hall (groin), running back Duke Johnson (ankle), and inside linebacker Peter Kalambayi (hamstring) were limited participants in practice.

There were no injured players for Houston who had full participation.

For the Vikings, cornerbacks Kris Boyd (hamstring) and Mike Hughes (neck) did not participate. Cornerback Cameron Dantzler (rib) was a limited participant. Minnesota also had zero injured players who were full participants in practice.

Longhorns in the NFL: Quiet night at Arrowhead Stadium

The NFL returned on Thursday night with two former Texas Longhorns in action. Alex Okafor and Charles Omenihu took the field.

The NFL season kicked off on Thursday night. The defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs hosted the Houston Texans at Arrowhead Stadium in K.C. Two former Texas Longhorns took the field, getting their first taste of live football action in 2020. In a year that has been odd, it had a sense of normalcy. Football returned to our lives.

Charles Omenihu, Houston Texans

Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

Not a whole lot went right for the Houston Texans on Thursday night. The Texans found themselves in a 31-7 hole in the fourth quarter. Early in the game, they were able to generate some pressure on reigning Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes but it didn’t equate to success. Omenihu came close to getting to the quarterback but didn’t generate any stats for the defense.

Alex Okafor, Kansas City

Alex Okafor, Defensive End, Kansas City Chiefs (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)

For the Chiefs, Alex Okafor performed a tad better than Omenihu. Okafor was able to get to quarterback Deshaun Watson during this game. He compiled one combined tackle, 0.5 sacks and two quarterback hits. Okafor’s night ended early; he left the game with a hamstring injury. Longhorns Wire will keep you updated on his status for next week.

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Locked on Longhorns Podcast: ‘Jake Smith update, UTEP preview’

Locked on Longhorns giving you updates on the Jake Smith injury, UTEP chat with Adrian Broaddus and football on Thursday Night.

The latest Locked on Longhorns podcast opens up discussing the Jake Smith injury that occurred on Tuesday What does this mean for the depth chart? With Jordan Whittington now healthy ahead of the opener, how much will we see of the talented redshirt freshman talent? A player with his injury history is a concern.

Head coach Tom Herman  updated the injury news on Thursday morning with an appearance on The Horn in Austin. Offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich stated the team would be going with a wide receiver by committee. With the injury to Smith, could we see more tight ends in the game?

Chris Ash spoke with the media bout his Rugby style of tackling. How they might improve their defense in 2020 with his coaching. Ash also had quite the compliment for quarterback Sam Ehlinger.

Adrian Broaddus of ESPN El Paso helps break down the UTEP Miners football team. What were some of his takeaways from the victory over Stephen F. Austin? Can the Miners challenge the 42.5 point spread in this game and what is his final prediction.

What do we expect to see on Saturday night? Could the Longhorns cover the spread? Takeaways from the Broaddus interview plus can UTEP find a way to do enough to keep it interesting. What football game are we looking for ward to on Thursday night? Plus what the host of Locked on LSU said about Tom Herman and the Texas Longhorns.

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Former Texas DE Charles Omenihu expected to improve Texans pass rush

Former Texas defensive end Charles Omenihu is expected to provide a boost to the Texans pass rush this season.

The Houston Texans selected former Texas defensive end Charles Omenihu in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Continue reading “Former Texas DE Charles Omenihu expected to improve Texans pass rush”

DE Charles Omenihu and OLB Jacob Martin could become new faces of the Texans’ pass rush

Defensive end Charles Omenihu and outside linebacker Jacob Martin could become the new faces of the Houston Texans’ pass rush as soon as 2020.

Defensive end J.J. Watt and outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus are the faces of the Houston Texans’ pass rush, but some younger talent is on the way that could take the baton.

According to safety Justin Reid, defensive end Charles Omenihu and outside linebacker Jacob Martin have been progressing nicely in training camp, and each should provide a big boost to the Texans’ pass rush.

“I’ve seen Charles Omenihu take real big strides this camp,” Reid said. “Usually you see it in guys coming from their first year to their second year making that jump, and I’ve seen that in Charles. I’m excited about it.”

The former 2019 fifth-round pick from Texas collected 3.0 sacks and two forced fumbles in his rookie year. Omenihu even had a sack-fumble of Patrick Mahomes that was key to preserving Houston’s 31-24 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6.

Between Omenihu and Martin, who may get to become a newer face quicker would be Martin.

Said Reid: “The guy has a motor that doesn’t stop. I’d even say he’s on his way to being one of those top tier pass rushers because every time he’s in the game he makes an impact.”

The Texans picked up Martin in their trade of Jadeveon Clowney to the Seattle Seahawks. Houston received Martin, edge rusher Barkevious Mingo, and a 2020 third-round pick, which was later used to acquire cornerback Gareon Conley. Martin finished the season with 3.5 sacks while Clowney had 3.0 with his new team.

“You think back to the Buffalo Bills game last year when he had that fumble recovery and the plays he’s made ever since he’s come here from Seattle,” Reid said. “I think that our pass rush has been bolstered, especially behind Coach Weaver. I’m excited about what that’s going to be able to do for us as a defense to be able to make more plays.”

Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver has new weapons for Houston’s pass rush. If Omenihu and Martin can provide effective pressure on opposing passers, then the Texans defense should be able to recover its reputation as being formidable against quarterbacks.

Texans DE Charles Omenihu met DeMarcus Ware through Instagram

Houston Texans defensive end Charles Omenihu says he met former Super Bowl 50 champion DeMarcus Ware through Instagram.

Houston Texans second-year defensive end Charles Omenihu has been working with former Super Bowl champion edge defender DeMarcus Ware in the offseason.

How did Omenihu get acquainted with Ware? Was it through mutual Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex connections, as Ware used to play for the Dallas Cowboys and Omenihu a standout at Rowlett High School?

No. They connected on Instagram.

“I’ve known D-Ware since I got drafted,” Omenihu said. “We just hit on Instagram and talked.”

The former 2019 fifth-round pick from Texas didn’t get a chance to really interact and learn from the former Denver Bronco until Von Miller’s annual pass rush summit, which was held in Las Vegas last year. It was at that event where Omenihu cultivated his connection with the possible Hall of Famer.

“As far as what I’ve learned from him though, just enhancing what I’m good at and don’t steer away from what makes me, me,” Omenihu said.

Some of what makes Omenihu, Omenihu is his ability to create takeaways off the edge. The 6-5, 280-pound edge defender collected 3.0 sacks in his rookie season with two forced fumbles. Even though some of that production was integral to big wins, such as his sack and forced fumble of Patrick Mahomes in Week 6 that led to a 31-24 win at the Kansas City Chiefs, all Omenihu can dwell on are the missed opportunities.

Said Omenihu: “Honing in on that and making it better because I think a lot for me last year, a lot of the things when I missed opportunities were basically because of my technique or trying to be somebody I’m not. So, really honed in on that and the technique-wise of it. That’s what I was focused on for that month that I was with him.”

The Texans are hopeful that Omenihu’s month with Ware in the offseason leads to a season’s worth of disruption off the edge in first-year defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver’s defense.

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Texans head coach impressed with Charles Omenihu

Houston Texans head coach Bill O’Brien had nothing but glowing remarks for former Longhorn Charles Omenihu.

The last time the Texas Longhorns had a defensive end with over eight sacks in a season, it was Charles Omenihu. During his time with Texas he racked up 16.5 career sacks, 30 TFLs and 115 total tackles in four seasons. In his 48 career games in Austin, you could see the growth each and every year. Now that he is in Houston, the same thing is expected now that Omenihu has his rookie season behind him.

Charles (Omenihu) has had a really good camp. It’s almost like he’s a different player. His technique is better. He’s stronger. He’s definitely improved. – Texans head coach Bill O’Brien on Omenihu

Last year for the Texans, Omenihu appeared in 14 games as a reserve. He didn’t start on defense for Houston last year. In those 14 games Omenihu recorded three sacks, 13 tackles, five quarterback hits and two forced fumbles.

Omenihu is expected to backup Angelo Blackson at the defensive end spot opposite J.J. Watt. Blackson joined Houston in 2017 after being signed off the New England practice squad. Omenihu’s improvement will likely force the defensive coordinator to put him on the field more. Given how his progression was for Texas, he will likely being starting in no time for the Houston Texans defense.

3 young Texans who have made an impression with Bill O’Brien

It may be a veteran’s kind of year, but there are a few youngsters who have made an impression with Houston Texans coach Bill O’Brien.

Houston Texans coach Bill O’Brien is a big believer that 2020 is a veteran’s type of season. With no offseason programs, preseason games, coaches aren’t going to entrust their fortunes with players with a year or less under their belts.

Nevertheless, there have been some youngsters who have caught O’Brien’s attention, and he mentioned them in his presser after the Texans’ scrimmage Thursday night.

“I think a lot of guys have really performed well in a situation where they haven’t had an offseason and they’ve had to just really concentrate in training camp,” said O’Brien. “We’ve got a ways to go, like I said before, but I think some guys are really trying to get better.”

1. CB John Reid

texans-bill-obrien-john-reid-may-best-camp-rookie
(Courtesty — Houston Texans)

O’Brien mentioned that the former Penn State cornerback “has had a good camp.” Known for his maturity, Reid has taken to the Texans’ system and seeks to provide support at cornerback as both an inside and outside guy. The position is quite competitive with Bradley Roby, Vernon Hargreaves, Gareon Conley, Lonnie Johnson, and even Keion Crossen battling it out for increase playing time.

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Texans’ Charles Omenihu is developing into a well rounded defensive end

Houston Texans defensive end Charles Omenihu is taking a leap into his second year that positions him to be a well rounded edge defender.

Houston Texans defensive end Charles Omenihu made an impression in his rookie year. The fifth-rounder from Texas generated 3.0 sacks and two forced fumbles in 14 games.

As nice of a surprise it was to get that production from Omenihu, the former Rowlett High School alumnus wants to contribute more in his second year.

Early indications are Omenihu is on track to be a better defensive end in 2020.

“I really like what he’s doing in the run game, too, especially,” center Nick Martin said. “Obviously, he can pass rush. He’s got that good length. He gets that stab into you and it’s a tough move to go against.”

Omenihu has been working against the interior offensive line due to his versatility as an inside rusher.

“He does a couple of things for us,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “He plays inside. He plays off the edge. He’s a powerful guy. He’s got good reach. He’s an athletic guy.”

The former Texas Longhorn is part of a youth movement on the Texans’ edge with outside linebacker Jacob Martin and rookie outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard seeking to bolster the production from defensive end J.J. Watt and outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus.

“For a lot of guys, the biggest jump in the NFL is from that first to second year, so I’m excited to see what he does this year,” Martin said.

Omenihu won’t have the benefit of preseason games to gauge where he is at in his development from his rookie year to his second season. However, the coaches have enough material from training camp to get a feel for where the 6-5, 280-pound edge rusher is at in his development.

“I think he’s getting better and better,” O’Brien said. “He works very hard. Yeah, he can do a lot of different things for us.”

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