Giants visit with LB Dylan Cole

The New York Giants hosted linebacker and special teams ace, Dylan Cole, for a visit in East Rutherford on Wednesday.

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The New York Giants continued with their old school approach to free agent visits on Wednesday, hosting former Houston Texans linebacker Dylan Cole in East Rutherford.

The 26-year-old Cole signed with the Texans as an undrafted rookie out of Missouri State in 2017. He’s appeared in 37 career games (one start), recording 67 tackles (five for a loss), one fumble recovery, two QB hits, one sack, seven passes defensed, one interception and one touchdown.

In addition to his play on defense, Cole is also a stud on special teams, where he has taken the majority of his snaps.

Although Cole is both talented and versatile, his early career has been defined by injury. In 2017, he missed time due to a hamstring injury. He’s also dealt with a dislocated wrist (2018), torn ACL (2019) and a back injury (2020). Additionally, he missed a game last season due to COVID-19.

However, when healthy, Cole is a solid asset. He has never finished with a special teams grade below 62.8 in his career and graded out at 70.5 last season.

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ILB Dylan Cole named Texans’ 2020 Ed Block Courage Award winner

Inside linebacker Dylan Cole has been named as the Houston Texans’ 2020 Ed Block Courage Award winner.

Houston Texans inside linebacker Dylan Cole may not have had the season he wanted in 2020, but his teammates can’t forget his hard work on and off the field.

On Wednesday, Cole was named as the Texans’ 2020 Ed Block Courage Award winner, which is voted on by players and recognizes extra efforts on and off the field in addition to a player’s ability to overcome adversity.

“I am honored to be the Ed Block Courage Award recipient this year,” Cole said via statement from the Texans. “It means a lot knowing that this award is voted on by my teammates. I’ve encountered quite a few unfortunate events in my career thus far, but this award is a reminder that all my hard work to overcome it hasn’t gone unnoticed. I’d like to give a special thank you to the athletic trainers for dealing with me through it all. It’s such a blessing to know that so many meaningful people in my life have my back.”

Cole, who was named as one of the seven team captains in 2020, has been a staple of the Texans’ special teams since joining the team as an undrafted free agent from Missouri State in 2017. Cole has produced 48 combined tackles, 19 special teams tackles, five tackles for loss, two interceptions, including a pick-six, seven pass breakups, two quarterback hits, a fumble recovery, and a blocked punt in his 37 career games with Houston.

“It’s no surprise Dylan Cole was voted by his peers to be this year’s Ed Block Courage Award recipient,” interim coach Romeo Crennel said. “Dylan is a tremendous young man both on and off the field and exemplifies what it means to be a professional in this league. Every day you see firsthand how Dylan is committed to doing whatever it takes to contribute to the team’s success and that’s why he’s earned the votes of his teammates for this award.”

Last year’s Ed Block Courage Award winner was safety Justin Reid. In 2018, safety Andre Hal took home the award.

Ed Block was the longtime head athletic trainer for the Baltimore Colts, and the Courage House he helped found is a facility that provides support and quality care for abused children and their families in the Baltimore community.

Texans vs. Browns Thursday injury report: ILB Dylan Cole is improving

The Houston Texans released their Thursday injury report ahead of their Week 10 showdown with the Cleveland Browns, and ILB Dylan Cole was limited.

The Houston Texans released their Thursday injury report ahead of their Week 10 encounter with the Cleveland Browns Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Inside linebacker Dylan Cole (back) was the only change on the entire injury report for both teams. Cole did not participate in Wednesday’s practice, but was available on a limited basis in Thursday’s practice.

Defensive end Charles Omenihu (hamstring), running back David Johnson (concussion), and guard Senio Kelemete (concussion) were not participants in Thursday’s practice, the same as it was on Wednesday.

Cleveland OT Jack Conklin (knee) and C JC Tretter (knee) were limited participants in Browns practice on Thursday.

For the Browns’ injury report, check out the Browns Wire.

3 Texans return from COVID-19 reserve

The Houston Texans had three players return from the COVID-19 reserve: ILB Dylan Cole, OLB Whitney Mercilus, and G Max Scharping.

The Houston Texans had three players return from the COVID-19 reserve on Tuesday.

Inside linebacker Dylan Cole, outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus, and guard Max Scharping were all cleared to return to the team, the Texans announced Tuesday.

Scharping was the first COVID-19 positive case the Texans have had in 2020, and the former 2019 second-round pick tested positive for the novel coronavirus on Oct. 28.

Cole and Mercilus were on the list due to contact tracing after an investigation revealed they were in close association with outside linebacker Jacob Martin, who tested positive for COVID-19 on the night of Nov. 4 and is the only remaining player on the list.

Interim coach Romeo Crennel told reporters Monday he expects Martin to be away from the team a little bit longer than Cole, Mercilus, and Scharping.

“Jacob, he’s going to be away from us a little bit longer because he was on that 10-day COVID list,” Crennel said.

The 2-6 Texans take on the 5-3 Cleveland Browns Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Report: Texans OLB Whitney Mercilus, ILB Dylan Cole out against Jaguars due to contact tracing

Houston Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus and inside linebacker Dylan Cole are out versus the Jaguars due to COVID-19 contact tracing.

The Houston Texans will be without two of their veteran linebackers as they take on the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT at TIAA Bank Field.

According to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, after outside linebacker Jacob Martin tested positive for COVID-19, contact tracing revealed that outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus and inside linebacker Dylan Cole had been in contact with Martin. As a result, though they may or may not be positive with the novel coronavirus, they go on the COVID-19 reserve list. In order to get off, they have to test positive over the next five days, and the game is three days away — not enough time.

The Texans could rely on rookie outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard to play more snaps on the edge and also activate inside linebacker Peter Kalambayi to provide support on special teams, where Cole has excelled for his four-year career.

Texans ILB Dylan Cole teases RT Tytus Howard: ‘Learn how to block’

Houston Texans inside linebacker Dylan Cole joked with right tackle Tytus Howard on Twitter that he needed to learn how to block.

Social media has provided a platform for fans and players to interact. The good part is fans can show their appreciation for their favorite players. The downside is it allows fans to be critical without the repercussions of expressing such opinions to someone’s face.

Houston Texans right tackle Tytus Howard took to Twitter Tuesday morning and alluded to that very subject.

“Social Media allows a lot of y’all to talk crap without consequences,” Howard wrote.

Inside linebacker Dylan Cole replied to Howard’s tweet and trolled the former 2019 first-round pick from Alabama State.

“Stop crying!” Cole wrote. “Learn how to block!!!”

Cole went next level and made mention of burner accounts on social media by claiming that he meant to send the unwarranted criticism from a different account. Fellow inside linebacker Tyrell Adams cracked up at Cole’s joke.

The Texans are having fun again, which is the result of finally getting off the schneid with a 30-14 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 5. It wasn’t just an ordinary win; it was an AFC South win that goes a long way to improving Houston’s record and possibly winning the division.

“I want to get back to having fun,” Texans chairman and CEO Cal McNair told play-by-play voice Marc Vandermeer on Oct. 7. “I want the guys flying around. I want playing fundamental and that will lead to wins and get us to where we’re going to go.”

Texans move ILB Dylan Cole and WR Kenny Stills on to active roster

The Houston Texans have moved inside linebacker Dylan Cole and receiver Kenny Stills to the active roster.

The Houston Texans continue to get stronger as each day of training camp passes.

The club announced Sunday that inside linebacker Dylan Cole and receiver Kenny Stills passed their physicals and have been placed on the active roster.

Cole started off training camp on the physically unable to perform list. The former 2017 undrafted free agent from Missouri State was recovering from a torn ACL that he sustained in Week 12 when the Texans beat the Indianapolis Colts 20-17 on Thursday Night Football. The Texans re-signed Cole to a one-year contract worth $2.1 million in the offseason.

Stills was placed on the reserve/non-football illness list to start camp, and quarterback Deshaun Watson was looking forward to getting the eighth-year receiver back in the fold.

“Kenny is a big piece of our offense,” Watson said. “He can do so many different things. He can play inside, outside. His experience, his IQ, and just his leadership. I’ve been working with Kenny all summer so once he gets back rolling and able to get on the field with us, he’s definitely going to be right where we left off last year and even more. He’s been around, he’s been encouraging everyone who has been able to practice. He’s been working hard to get back on the field.”

With their roster ready to practice, the Texans can get even more prepared to take on the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 10 to start the season.

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Texans ILB Dylan Cole, CB Gareon Conley placed on PUP list

The Houston Texans placed inside linebacker Dylan Cole and cornerback Gareon Conley on the physically unable to perform list.

The Houston Texans announced Friday the placement of inside linebacker Dylan Cole and cornerback Gareon Conley on the physically unable to perform list.

Cole is still recovering form a torn ACL that he sustained in the club’s victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12 of last season. The former 2017 undrafted free agent from Missouri State was voted team captain of the special teams unit by his teammates. Cole was signed to a restricted free agent tender worth over $2.1 million in the offseason.

Conley came over from the Oakland Raiders prior to the Texans’ Week 8 encounter with the very same team. A former 2017 first-round pick from Ohio State, the Texans were in need of cornerback help after injuries ravaged the group. Houston decided not to pick up Conley’s fifth-year option for 2021, which would counted $10.2 million against the Texans’ salary cap. The cornerback also underwent ankle surgery in the offseason.

Cole and Conley are eligible to come off of a the PUP list once they pass their physicals.

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Texans LB Dylan Cole signs tender

The Houston Texans are getting back their special teams captain in 2020 as LB Dylan Cole has signed his tender.

The Houston Texans are getting back a key member of their special teams and quality inside linebacker depth for the 2020 season.

According to a photo posted on Twitter from Dylan Cole’s official account, the former 2017 undrafted free agent from Missouri State is seen at table signing his qualifying tender, which means he is under contract and will return for a fourth season with the Texans.

The complications of the COVID-19 pandemic and the social distancing measures have isolated players from team facilities, but Cole and the Texans were able to make the signing possible.

 

“He comes from a small school and works very hard, a good player,” coach Bill O’Brien said of Cole on Sept. 11, 2019. “I think the big thing with Dylan, just for him personally, is health, staying healthy and doing all the things that he does. He takes care of his body, he does a lot of things to try to be out there on the field all time to be available for his teammates. I think he’s just a great guy.”

Cole tore his ACL in Week 12 of the 2019 season, ending his third season at 11 games. In total, the 6-0, 237-pound linebacker has played in 31 of a possible 48 games for the Texans.

Texans tender ILB Dylan Cole

The Houston Texans have tendered inside linebacker Dylan Cole, who is set to be a restricted free agent on March 18.

The Houston Texans have tendered inside linebacker Dylan Cole, who is set to be a restricted free agent when the new league year begins on March 18. The former 2017 undrafted free agent from Missouri State was due $2.144 million on low tender, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.

Cole was a special teams captain for the Texans in 2019, collecting 16 tackles, a pass deflection, and a fumble recovery in 11 games until he tore his ACL on Nov. 23, 2019, in Week 12 against the Indianapolis Colts.

“I think the big thing with Dylan, just for him personally, is health, staying healthy and doing all the things that he does,” coach Bill O’Brien said of Cole on Sept. 11, 2019. “He takes care of his body, he does a lot of things to try to be out there on the field all time to be available for his teammates. I think he’s just a great guy.”

The 6-0, 237-pound linebacker provides depth for the Texans at inside linebacker and also key performance on special teams.