Tag: Hosuton Texans

Is RB Dameon Pierce a lock to make Texans’ active roster in 2024?

After not playing in Saturday’s preseason game, Dameon Pierce might have an answer on his status with the Houston Texans.

Small details sometimes say a lot more than quotes and comments. On Saturday, Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans might have revealed part of his plan at running back.

Third-year RB Dameon Pierce didn’t play in the preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams. Most times, the final exhibition game is a last audition for those on the roster bubble.

Quarterback C.J. Stroud didn’t play either, nor did Tank Dell or any other key member of the reigning AFC South champions, who are widely expected to make a deep postseason run in 2024.

With the decision to sit Pierce, Ryans showed his cards regarding the running back’s fate: Pierce will either make the roster for Week 1 or be traded to a running back-needy team.

But he won’t receive a pink slip before Tuesday’s 3 p.m. deadline. Pierce is going to be on an active roster next week.

“I didn’t play Dameon because I’ve seen enough from Dameon in practice and everything,” Ryans said of his decision Saturday. “I’ve had a good look at Dameon.”

Pierce, a fourth-round pick out of Florida in 2022, was expected to be. a foundational piece of Houston’s offense after a breakout rookie season. Had it not been for a foot injury, there’s a chance he would have been the first Texans running back since Carlos Hyde to break 1,000 yards after totaling 939 in the first 13 games.

Then came the firing of Pep Hamilton and the arrival of Bobby Slowik. A second-year slump ensued under the new zone-heavy run style. Pierce started the first nine games before trading places with Devin Singletary.

He averaged 2.9 yards per attempt and only found the end zone on a special teams touchdown.

The preseason wasn’t kind, either. Pierce played in two games and totaled 9 yards on eight carries. He also wasn’t a factor in the passing game like Cam Akers or Jawhar Jordan.

Why would the Texans hold on to a player who shows regression around every turn?

Starters rarely saw action in the preseason, playing just four total drives in two games. During that time, Tytus Howard missed a start against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Laremy Tunsil didn’t play at all as he was recovering from knee surgery.

It’s hard to gauge a player without a healthy offensive line. Even if injuries occur during the regular season, Pierce should have a chance to prove his value behind a healthy unit.

In practice, he has. During drills, the former Florida star has ripped off runs for multiple first-down gains with Tunsil opening creases. He also offers special teams upside as one of the Texans’ top returners.

Houston could trade Pierce for the right offer, thus benching him would have been wise to keep his value high. Teams like the Dallas Cowboys or Carolina Panthers need running back help.

For a Day 3 pick, Pierce would get a fresh start and the Texans would land a draft pick and open up roster spot. Jordan, a sixth-round pick out of Louisville, showed potential working with the second-team offense and would warrant a roster spot if it weren’t for Pierce.

Cutting a player who’s been a Jeykll and Hyde between practice and gamedays doesn’t make sense. A potent OTA has kept Pierce on the coaches’ radar, while a struggling preseason might not translate to Sundays.

The Texans could cut ties with Pierce if he struggles at the season’s midway point. They could trade him at the deadline to free up cap space.

But Pierce is staying put for now. Houston still thinks his best is ahead. He’ll have to live up to the presumed potential.

“We just have to give him more opportunities,” Ryans said, “but we have to block it better up front so he does have the opportunities to make some plays in the running game.”

Giants-Texans preseason Week 2: Offense, defense and special teams snap counts

Here’s how many snaps each player for the Houston Texans saw in Saturday’s win over the New York Giants.

The Houston Texans bested the New York Giants, 28-10, on Saturday afternoon at NRG Stadium to improve to 2-1 heading into the final week of training camp. 

Scoring drives aren’t honestly necessary in the preseason. Starters pick up two touchdowns in six minutes before the second-team defense gives up 14 points and costs a victory in front of the home crowd. 

What matters is consistency from starters. C.J. Stroud and the offense looked promising on two drives even though they didn’t score. Stefon Diggs made a first-down catch while Dalton Schultz continued his quest as a security blanket for Stroud on third down with three receptions. 

The defense was the scene stealer in front of what should be the lowest-attended game of the year. Jalen Pitre and Derek Stingely each picked off Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, with the former finding his way to the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown. 

As a unit, Houston’s defense notched five turnovers, including three in the fourth quarter on New York’s final three possessions. Third-year receiver John Metchie III might have also secured a spot on the roster after a career day working against New York’s secondary. 

Starters might be done this preseason after playing the entire first quarter. That’s a positive since coaches have likely seen enough heading into Week 1’s matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.

Moving into the final preseason matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, coaches need to finalize their roster, so it’s important to see players on the bubble play extensively to prove their value. 

Here are the snap counts for every player that contributed to the Texans’ Week 2 preseason win.

Offensive snaps: 75
Defensive snaps: 63
Special teams snaps: 23

It was an overall solid snap spread for the Texans’ roster with just about every healthy body getting field time. Metchie, who finished with six catches for 68 yards and a touchdown, tied Xavier Hutchinson for the most snaps among offensive position players with 34.

Offensive lineman Nick Broeker, who saw action at both right guard and right tackle, led the Texans in total snaps with 57.

Defensive end Ali Gaye could be a name to monitor entering Week 3 after playing in 47 snaps. Kamari Lassiter, who made his preseason debut, saw 14 coverage snaps and wasn’t targeted once.

Texans OT Tytus Howard returns to practice on day 1 of training camp

Tytus Howard was back in action for the first day of Houston Texans training camp.

The 2024 season will be crucial for Houston Texans offensive tackle Tytus Howard and his long-term future with the organization.

He’s starting off on a high note to begin training camp.

Howard, who missed nearly half of the 2023 campaign with a season-ending knee injury, returned to practice and fully participated in drills on Thursday morning. While still not at 100 percent, the sixth-year offensive lineman was healthy enough to work with the first-team offense at right tackle.

“It was good to see Tytus back,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “[He] missed some time with the surgery, so good to see him back healthy and having an opportunity to compete.”

Howard, who signed a three-year, $56 million contract extension last offseason, underwent season-ending knee surgery after being carted off in Houston’s Week 12 loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Howard, who enters the season as the projected starting right tackle, also suffered a broken hand in training camp, causing him to be placed on the injured reserve and miss the team’s first four games.

When healthy, Howard has been a serviceable starter at multiple positions. After Kenyon Green and Kendrick Green suffered early season-ending injuries, Ryans shifted Howard inside to left guard, leaving George Fant at right tackle.

Since undergoing surgery, Howard hasn’t worked out with the rest of the team. He missed voluntary OTAs and did not participate during drills at minicamp last month since he was still in recovery.

While Howard returned to practice, his Pro Bowl counterpart Laremy Tunsil did not. Tunsil is in the building but did not partake in drills as he’s still rehabbing from knee surgery earlier this offseason.

Ryans said that certain players will be on “different schedules throughout camp” so Tunsil may miss some practices. That’s fine so long as he’s ready for the season opener against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oli Stadium on September 8.

According to the second-year coach, he’s on schedule to return.

“Everybody is on track for the season opener,” Ryans said. “That’s what this is all about, getting guys ready to go when we kick off the season opener.”

Colts open Week 13 as heavy favorites over Texans

The Colts open Week 13 as heavy favorites over the Texans.

The Indianapolis Colts (6-6) will be looking to put a tough loss behind them when they visit the Houston Texans (2-9) at NRG Stadium in Week 13.

The first meeting between these two teams back in Week 6 resulted in a 31-3 routing by the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Running back Jonathan Taylor took 14 carries for 145 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns while Carson Wentz threw for 223 passing yards, two touchdowns and a 127.7 passer rating.

Here are the opening odds for the Week 12 matchup between the Colts and Texans, per Tipico Sportsbook:

Spread Moneyline Total Points
Indianapolis Colts (6-6) -8.5 -450 O 45.5
-112
Houston Texans (2-9) +8.5 +330 U 45.5
-108

While the Texans will be competing for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, the Colts are right in the thick of the AFC playoff hunt. The loss to the Buccaneers in Week 12 didn’t help their cause, but they still have a chance to make a run.

The Colts offense has been humming over the last two months or so. They’ve averaged 31.6 points per game since Week 4 and have hit the 30-point mark in six of their last seven games.

They should be able to take care of business against the Texans even if road matchups in the AFC South can be unpredictable.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO).

Like Colts Wire on Facebook
Follow Colts Wire on Twitter
Follow Kevin on Twitter (@KevinHickey11)

[lawrence-related id=66393,66386,66320]

[listicle id=66375]

Report: Texans interview Colts’ Frank Ross for special teams coordinator

Texans eyeing another Indy staff member.

The Houston Texans reportedly interviewed Indianapolis Colts assistant special teams coach Frank Ross for their vacant special teams coordinator role, per Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle.

As the Texans passed over Matt Eberflus for their head coach position, it seems the division competitors aren’t done trying to poach from the Colts coaching staff this offseason.

Ross has been with the Colts for three seasons now since arriving as assistant special teams coach in 2018 where he has been working under special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone since.

He only has five years experience in the league as he worked with the Patriots for two seasons before joining the Colts.

It remains to be seen if Ross will get the job in Houston, but the Colts will have to fill a number of spots on their coaching staff this offseason.

[vertical-gallery id=55576]