Giants QB Daniel Jones to make preseason debut against Texans

The Houston Texans will take on Daniel Jones in Week 2’s preseason matchup at NRG Stadium.

Last week, C.J. Stroud made his preseason debut for the Houston Texans.

This week, another starting quarterback will make their debut against Houston in its preseason home opener.

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones has been cleared for full contact and will suit up against the Texans on Saturday afternoon at NRG Stadium. Houston plans to advance to 2-1 in the preseason before its final game against the Los Angeles Rams on Aug. 24.

Jones suffered a torn ACL in his right knee last November and has been a full participant in training camp since late July. He did not play in Thursday’s preseason opener against the Detroit Lions, but with Drew Lock out, he might be the only viable option left for first-team reps.

Jones might not lose his job come Week 1, but he can earn back some support with a promising outing in Houston. The former No. 6 overall pick played a role in helping New York clinch a playoff berth and win during the 2022 season, thus earning a new four-year, $160 million deal in the offseason.

After regressing in 2023 before the injury, the Giants considered moving off Jones via the draft, but instead elected to give him one last chance and draft LSU receiver Malik Nabers instead.

Stroud, last year’s No. 2 overall pick and reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, will make his home debut after starting last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In two series, he was 2-of-4 for 41 yards and a touchdown.

Kickoff from NRG Stadium is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Watch: Texans rookie DB Calen Bullock forces fumble in Hall of Fame Game

While the Houston Texans might not have gotten the ball back, the coaching staff watched rookie Calen Bullock make an elite defensive play.

The Houston Texans might have another rookie ready to start on defense come Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts.

Safety Calen Bullock forced a fumble against Chicago Bears tight end Tommy Sweeny during the second quarter of the Hall of Fame Game, though the Bears recovered to keep the drive alive. The third-round pick also was credited with a tackle.

Bullock, known for his rangy coverage skills during his three seasons at USC, lowered his shoulder to jar the ball loose. Multiple Texans players watched the ball bounce off their hands before Chicago recovered the ball at the Texans’ 48-yard line.

Bears quarterback Brett Rypien connected three plays later with Collin Johnson for a 20-yard touchdown pass to make it 10-7. So far, it’s been an even game between the two sides.

Bullock has mixed in between the first and second-team defense through the early stages of training camp with veteran Eric Murray. With Jalen Pirte moving down into the nickel, Houston must replace his skill set on the back end.

It’s still early in Bullock’s career, but the Texans believe he can be a difference-maker in time. For the Trojans, the 6-foot-3 defensive back recorded 15 pass breakups and nine interceptions.

The Texans, who lead 17-14 at halftime, will kickoff to begin the second half.

Texans QB C.J. Stroud ranked No. 20 in NFL Top 100 Players of 2024

C.J. Stroud not only impressed the Houston Texans but also showed the NFL he’s here to take over the league moving forward.

C.J. Stroud had a rookie season for the ages in the NFL. The Houston Texans have a new face of the franchise because of his heroics in 2023. 

Entering 2024, Stroud’s peers view him as one of the league’s top players. 

Stroud, the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, was listed as the No. 20 overall player in the NFL’s top 100 list that will appear on NFL Network Wednesday evening. He’s now the fourth Texans player to make the list, joining wide receiver Stefon Diggs (No. 56), defensive end Danielle Hunter (No. 68) and offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (No. 71).

“Dude came in just balling,” receiver Nico Collins said. “He came in calm, definitely came in collective. He was ready to make an impact.”

Stroud, a two-time Heisman finalist at Ohio State, carried that same mentality over to the Texans after being selected No. 2 overall in 2023. After a rocky debut against the Baltimore Ravens, Stroud began to cook, posting six 300-yard passing performances and eight multi-touchdown outings. 

“You would have never thought he was a rookie,” Jacksonville Jaguars safety Rayshawn Jenkins said. 

“He is not a rookie,” echoed Pittsburgh Steelers Pro Bowl defensive end Cam Heyward. 

In the most significant games, Stroud delivered. He led a 76-yard come drive to defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with less than a minute remaining in Week 9. After blowing a lead in Week 10 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Stroud drove 55 yards in six players to set a game-winning 38-yard field goal for Matt Ammendola. 

“He has a cannon for an arm but can also throw strikes,” said New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis. “His precision pass is with the best of them.” 

En route to helping the Texans clinch their first division title in four years, Stroud became the fifth rookie in league history to throw for 4,000-plus yards. He also led the league in touchdown-to-interception ratio and passing yards per game, becoming the third player to accomplish the feat in league history. 

The other two? Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana and G.O.A.T. Tom Brady. 

“He let the fears and the worries of a normal rookie quarterback they go through just go,” Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin said. “It was a couple of throws and a couple of plays that he made where it was like, ‘I don’t feel like I’m playing against a rookie.’ “

 

Stroud, who finished with 4,108 passing yards and 23 touchdown passes, threw a career-low five interceptions while posting a 100.8 passer rating, more than likely will be the sixth-ranked quarterback in the top 100.

Dallas’ Dak Prescott, Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts and Buffalo’s Josh Allen came in ahead of him at No. 16, No. 15 and No. 12, respectively. 

Baltimore Ravens star and two-time MVP Lamar Jackson should fall in the top 10, as should three-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes. It’s clear that even though he’s young, Stroud is already among the best in the game. 

“I think the best is still yet to come for him,” Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins said. 

NFL power rankings: Texans billed as viable threat in AFC past 2024

The Houston Texans have a bright future based on ESPN’s latest rankings.

The Texans are expected to be among the league’s top rosters in 2024. Most would consider anything less than a playoff berth “underachieving” after last season’s success behind rookie quarterback and rising star C.J. Stroud. 

But most fans are always trying to look ahead. How good will Houston be once Stroud comes into his own? As a rookie, he nearly broke every rookie record in league history while still learning the ropes. Imagine if he grows into an MVP-caliber passer yearly. 

ESPN recently released its 2024 NFL Future Power Rankings, breaking down the expectations for all 32 teams over the next three seasons. Multiple factors played into the conversation, including quarterback, non-QB roster makeup, front office and coaching staff.

For the Texans, ESPN has them power ranked at No. 6 overall with a score of 88.5. What might be more impressive is Houston ranks fifth in the overall roster (88.7), fifth in coaching (92.3), seventh in coaching (90.7), and 10th in front office management (83.0). 

It’s a night-and-day difference from three years ago. Houston pushed its way to a combined 11-38-1 record and never felt as if there was a direction between one-and-done head coaches. 

Now, the Texans have a foundation. Stroud, Nico Collins, Tank Dell and Pro Bowl tackle Laremy Tunsil should be only building off their AFC South division title win moving past 2024. Will Anderson Jr. and Derek Stingley Jr. should be the top 10 talents at their respective positions by 2027. 

ESPN also pointed to Houston’s “aggressive” offseason as part of the rising hype surrounding the franchise’s future. These moves included the additions of Pro Bowl receiver Stefon Diggs, who was called a “reason for hope” in the analysis, along with Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter on the opposing side.

Not all was positive, however. ESPN criticized Houston’s rushing attack, putting it in the “reason for concern” category. The Texans ranked in the bottom five league-wide in yards per carry last year and rushing touchdowns, though they are trying to better their production by adding Pro Bowler Joe Mixon from the Bengals this offseason.  

Listed ahead of Houston included the Kansas City Chiefs (95.3), Baltimore Ravens (91.6), Buffalo Bills (89.5), Detroit Lions (88.9) and Philadelphia Eagles (88.8). Kansas City, fresh off back-to-back Super Bowl titles, ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in every category. 

The Texans kick off the new season on Sept. 8 against the Indianapolis Colts. 

2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame presentation order revealed

Andre Johnson is the first Houston Texans player to be inducted into the NFL’s Hall of Fame and will be the last to speak in Canton, Ohio.

Andre Johnson is officially the first Houston Texans player to be selected to the NFL’s Hall of Fame.

He’ll also be the last person to address the crowd in Canton, Ohio on August 3. 

The Pro Football Hall of Fame officially set its speaker order for its class of enshrinees on Thursday The order of speeches – which are capped at 10 minutes each – is as follows (presenters are in parentheses):

1. Dwight Freeney (Jim Irsay, Indianapolis Colts owner and chief executive officer)

2. Steve McMichael via his home (Jarrett Payton, longtime friend and sports anchor)

3. Randy Gradishar (Tom Jackson, former Denver Broncos teammate)

4. Devin Hester (Juanita Brown, Devin’s mother)

5. Patrick Willis (Ernicka Willis, sister)

6. Julius Peppers (Carl Carey, longtime friend, mentor and agent)

7. Andre Johnson (Gary Kubiak, former Houston Texans coach)

Johnson, the Texans’ all-time leader in every receiving category, has waited for this moment since retiring from the league in 2016. After being left out the first three times, Johnson was selected and announced as a representative for the 2024 class during the NFL Awards in February.

Drafted out of Miami third overall in 2003,  Johnson was an offensive focal point in the Kubiak era, helping Houston win its first two AFC South titles and first two playoff games. During his 12 seasons in a Texans’ uniform, he caught 1,012 passes for 13,597 yards and 64 touchdowns.

He’s one of the greatest players I’ve ever coached,Kubiak told HoustonTexans.com of Johnson.There’s never been any doubt in my mind that he deserved to be in the Hall of Fame because he’s one of the greatest receivers in history.”

The festivities from the Hall of Fame will begin at 11 a.m. CT. The seven new inductees will bring the hall’s membership to 378 individuals. 

C.J. Stroud cracks the top 10 QBs in latest rankings from NFL coaches and execs

C.J. Stroud is already viewed as a top 10 quarterback by NFL executives heading into the 2024 season.

C.J. Stroud is just getting warmed up as he enters his second season with the Houston Texans. While that’s a positive for DeMeco Ryans and Co., it’s a nightmare for 31 opposing teams heading into 2024. 

Executives around the league tend to agree. Stroud, the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, isn’t slowing down heading into his sophomore season and could be close to entering theelitecategory that ends with an MVP Award.

ESPN‘s Jeremy Fowler surveyed NFL executives, coaches and scouts to get a feel about the quarterbacks heading into training camp. Stroud, who guided Houston to its first AFC South division title since 2019, was listed at  No. 7, sandwiched between Justin Herbert and Aaron Rodgers. 

He’s as good as anybody, honestly,one veteran NFC scout said.He’s got to do it again, but the arm talent combined with taking care of the ball and the ability to process was impressive.”

Last season, Stroud joined Tom Brady and Joe Montana as the only two quarterbacks led the league in passing yards per game and touchdown-to-interception ratio in the same season. 

Stroud, who threw 23 touchdown passes against five interceptions, also never seemed fazed by the limelight. On the biggest stage, he seemed poised to lead a comeback and played like a veteran.

One voter said Stroudset the standardfor rookie quarterbacks after posting the third-most passing yards in NFL rookie history. 

“Has so much poise. He stands in the pocket and delivers the football,an NFC executive said. Stands tall. Doesn’t see colors coming at him.”

Stroud should only improve with another year in Bobby Slowik’s play-action system. Several voters pointed out that the two-time Heisman finalist was complemented by an exceptional supporting cast, headlined by breakout receiver Nico Collins, rookie Tank Dell and veteran tight end Dalton Schultz. 

Schultz and Collins agreed to new deals earlier this offseason and will be a part of Stroud’s arsenal through 2026. Dell, the third-round pick out of Houston, is under contract through 2026 as well.

Houston also brought in Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon and All-Pro receiver Stefon Diggs to alleviate the pressure off Stroud having to play the role of hero. The Texans also will have a healthy offensive line for the first time since Stroud’s arrival last April.

Another voter, an NFL official, said Stroud hascut down on the throws he would miss in college.That has allowed him to build confidence in an offense that could lead the leauge in total yards and scoring this fall.

“The Texans have helped him with play-action and defined throws and he’s capitalized as a big, strong thrower with elite ball placement,the high-ranking official said.They’ve made it fun for him.”

Houston returns to training camp this Thursday. 

Tiering all 32 teams (including the Texans) by offseason grades given by ESPN

ESPN’s Seth Walder wasn’t too keen on the Houston Texans offseason, but what did he think of the other 31 team’s efforts?

The NFL offseason has hit its dry period as the Houston Texans, plus every other team, are taking a hiatus until training camp rolls around.

This is the time of the offseason when we get bigger think-pieces from outlets like ESPN to fill in the void and to kill time. One of those pieces was released by Seth Walder of ESPN, where he graded the offseason moves of all 32 teams in the NFL. Walder gave the Browns a less-than-ideal grade compared to other outlets but what did he think of the rest of the NFL?

In this piece, all 32 NFL teams are broken into grades given out by Walder, and yes, this goes by actual grade from A to D-. What grade did he give the Texans and what tier did they fall into?

  • Philadelphia Eagles
  • Kansas City Chiefs
  • Los Angeles Chargers
  • Miami Dolphins
  • New England Patriots
  • Cleveland Browns
  • Chicago Bears
  • Indianapolis Colts
  • New York Jets
  • Baltimore Ravens
  • Cincinnati Bengals
  • Pittsburgh Steelers
  • San Francisco 49ers
  • Seattle Seahawks
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • Tennessee Titans
  • Carolina Panthers
  • Denver Broncos
  • Green Bay Packers
  • Houston Texans
  • Los Angeles Rams
  • Arizona Cardinals
  • Buffalo Bills
  • Jacksonville Jaguars
  • New York Giants
  • Washington Commanders
  • Detroit Lions
  • Atlanta Falcons
  • Minnesota Vikings
  • Dallas Cowboys
  • Las Vegas Raiders
  • New Orleans Saints

Texans QB C.J. Stroud holds second annual youth football camp

Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud continues to give back to the community every chance he gets.

Growing up, C.J. Stroud always wanted to give back to the community. Entering Year 2 as the Houston Texans starting quarterback, he now can.

Stroud hosted his second annual youth football camp on Tuesday at St. Thomas High School just outside downtown Houston. Hundreds of local kids traveled across the city to run drills, haul in passes, and better their craft while learning from the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year.

“The night before I always try to pray and ask God for strength to be able to handle 600 kids and give them everything they’re looking for when they talk to me,” Stroud said. “That means something. I’ve had times when I met some of my heroes and they weren’t the nicest people, so I want to be that person. Like Snoop Dogg said: ‘You’re not only going to see me on TV, but you can touch me and be able to be around me and feel my energy.”

The camp was established by the C.J. Stroud Foundation and its director, Kimberly Stroud. It became a hit last offseason after Stroud was selected No. 2 overall out of Ohio State.

This year, the numbers reached new heights. Campers were enthusiastic to catch a glimpse of their favorite starting quarterback reading the field while targeting one lucky kid for an easy score.

Stroud wasn’t the only notable name in attendance. Second-year receiver and former University of Houston star Tank Dell also partook in drills, as did quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson and Hall of Fame wide receiver Terrell Owens. Texans owner Cal McNair and foundation vice president Hannah McNair also stopped by.

A man of principle, Stroud talked about the importance of listening to parents, leaning on faith, and establishing a consistent work ethic to build a path to success.

“It starts with God and listen to your parents, and that’s a recipe for success,” Stroud said. “That’s what I did as a kid and that’s what I’ll always pass along through my foundation. That’s really what I want to give, how to set a foundation set on rocks and go from there.”

Stroud, who led the NFL in passing yards per game, looks to build off a promising first season in the pros, but he also knows how to enjoy downtime. That time is being spent on giving back to the city and the fans who support him and the franchise on Sundays.

While the campers get to experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity while hanging out with their favorite passer, Stroud gets to spend time doing what he always wanted: giving back.

“I really used to dream of stuff like this, but it’s crazy to see the city come out and support me and want to be around me,” Stroud said. “That’s just a blessing. I’m just really inspired. I want to keep being great for that reason right there.”

Texans pleased with C.J. Stroud’s leadership growth heading into Year 2

C.J. Stroud is taking control as a leader of the huddle and of the offense entering his second season with the Houston Texans.

The huddle breaks and C.J. Stroud isn’t happy with it. He recalls the offense and ensures when the huddle divides again, it’s ready for battle.

Those little details throughout a June morning during minicamp mean little to the Houston Texans’ success in 2024, but it carries weight internally. Stroud continues to show his maturation as he enters his second season as the Texans’ starting quarterback.

Again, it means little to the outside world, but those internally are paying attention.

“You talk about year one to year two, you didn’t see that last year from C.J.,” Texans coach DeMec Ryans said. “That’s what you love to see in your quarterback. Him having that awareness for how practice is going and having the wherewithal to step in and let’s course correct while we can.”

A year ago, Stroud was just getting acclimated to running the offense. He was spending most of his time studying the playbook or going over film. And when he wasn’t studying film, he was studying teammate’s mannerisms to build a relationship that would pave the way to success.

It did. Houston won its first division title in four years and Stroud became the first player in franchise history to win the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

That was last season. It’s Year 2 and expectations are rising for the reigning AFC South champions. So are expectations for Stroud to step up as a vocal presence in the locker room.

“I’m the captain of the ship, and I’ve got to run it the right way,” Stroud said Tuesday. “Not only holding other guys accountable but also holding myself accountable. I don’t let anything slide.”

Stroud certainly is the offensive star, but every captain needs a crew. Consider the Texans’ supporting casts one of the league’s best after adding in Pro Bowl receiver Stefon Diggs and running back Joe Mixon this offseason.

The duo only enhances a potent offense that features two potential 1,000-yard receivers in Nico Collins and Tank Dell. Tight end Dalton Schultz, Stroud’s security net across the middle, is back after signing a three-year extension.

Houston finished 7th nationally in passing last season under Bobby Slowik’s new offensive approach. The scary part? Stroud said it’s a day-and-night difference from a season ago. Slowik is giving Stroud more responsibility for the plays and the personnel.

Things have slowed down over the previous 12 months. Stroud, who threw for over 4,000 yards last season, is getting adjusted to consistency in the huddle.

“The times where we executed at a high level, the times we won those games,” Stroud said. “So that’s just the goal, is just to execute and be able to be on the same page, build chemistry right now, so when the ball rolls, we’re ready to fly around at a high level.”

Stroud showed last season he’s capable of being the quarterback needed to lead a team deep to the postseason. That was with only a handful of responsibilities.

The limitations have been pushed to the wayside, leaving Stroud in more control. He’s embracing his role as the offensive leader, holding everyone accountable for even minor miscues.

Imagine what the offense looks like in full form with Stroud in command. A scary thought, right?

“We know that people just looking forward to watching the Texans play football this year, so he’s not taking that lightly,” Dell said. “Like he wants to give the fans a show. So he’s been on us like crazy. It’s been good though.”

Texans WR Stefon Diggs: Josh Allen was an ‘intricate piece’ of my career

Stefon Diggs is starting fresh as a member of the Houston Texans, but he still remembers those who led him to this point. Diggs, one of the top receivers over his four seasons with the Buffalo Bills, relied on Josh Allen to find him open for a first …

Stefon Diggs is starting fresh as a member of the Houston Texans, but he still remembers those who led him to this point.

Diggs, one of the top receivers over his four seasons with the Buffalo Bills, relied on Josh Allen to find him open for a first down. Allen, one of the league’s top passers, trusted Diggs to bail him out of trouble.

The two needed each other to elevate one’s career. Diggs was a proven pass-catcher with the Vikings, but truly reached new levels as a member of the Bills.

He will always be thankful to have Allen as an “intricate piece” in his story.

“Josh is still my guy,” Diggs said Tuesday. “People don’t really understand what it’s like to be out there. He really embraced me, kind of had the Southern hospitality. So for me, he embraced me, spent a lot of time, and I probably wouldn’t be right here if it wasn’t for him. I got a lot of the love for that boy.”

Traded for a 2015 first, fifth and sixth-round pick, Diggs served as a consistent playmaker for Case Keenum and later Kirk Cousins with the Vikings. His ‘Minneapolis Miracle’ in 2018 is still considered one of the greatest plays in franchise history.

But Diggs blossomed in Buffalo as Allen’s go-to receiver. In 2020, he led the NFL in receptions (127) and receiving yards (1,531). During his four seasons in Orchard Park, Diggs finished first among all receivers in receptions (445), fourth in touchdowns (37) and fourth in receiving yards (5,372).

Still, Diggs felt a change was inevitable entering the offseason after failing to make it past the AFC Divisional Round for the third time in four years.

There were signs throughout the season that Diggs could be on the move. He started hot, totaling 834 receiving yards (third in the NFL), 70 receptions (first) and seven touchdowns (second) in eight games. After Ken Dorsey was fired in Week 10 and the Bills turned to Joe Brady, Diggs’ numbers to a hit.

In the divisional round against Kansas City, he only managed to finish with three catches for 21 yards.

“We some ups and downs, especially after the first eight,” Diggs said. “We had coaching shifting and different things going different ways, differences scheme-wise, schematic, and the ups and downs of it. But for me, you kind of feel it in the air a little bit, especially personal feelings.”

Diggs, who enters a contract year after the Texans voided the final three seasons of his four-year, $103 million extension, is at peace now in Houston. The Texans believe they’re getting a do-it-all weapon who’s looking to win.
Throughout his first few practices, he’s lived up to the billing.

“He’s fitting in great,” quarterback C.J. Stroud said. “He’s come in and been a leader which I’m proud of him for,” Stroud said. “And just really has been unselfish (and) nothing but just amazing so far. And I’m very excited to work with him.”

There’s a new version of Diggs residing in Houston, one that serves as the hopeful missing link toward a Super Bowl title. Even though he’s moving on, Diggs still will always respect Allen for changing his path.

The feeling is mutual back at Highmark Stadium.

“It’s definitely hard to part ways with a guy who has been very instrumental in our success here over the last four years,” Allen said following the trade earlier this offseason. “I can’t thank him enough for when he came in how hard he worked and what he taught me along the years.”