Tag: Texans Hall of Fame

Texans TE Teagan Quitoriano carted off in Hall of Fame Game

Teagan Quitoriano was one of three Houston Texans players to leave early during Thursday night’s Hall of Fame Game.

The Houston Texans might be down an offensive weapon heading into next week’s preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Tight end Teagan Quitoriano was carted off the field Thursday night during the second quarter of the Pro Football Hall of Fame game against the Chicago Bears. He did not return before suspended play due to severe weather conditions.

According to KPRC 2 Sports, Quitoriano is being evaluated for a lower-body injury.

Quitoriano, a 2022 sixth-round pick out of Oregon State, seemed poised for a promising night in Canton, Ohio as the starting tight end for the offense. During the opening drive, he caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Davis Mills to give Houston an early 7-0 lead.

He finished with two receptions for 21 yards on two targets before he got hurt.

While Quitoriano was the only player carted off, two other Texans left the game early due to injury. Linebacker Jake Hansen headed to the locker room after being evaluated in the blue medical tent before halftime and did not return.

Defensive back Lonnie Johnson Jr. took a knee to his head at the start of the third quarter and went to the locker room with trainers without his helmet. He also did not return before the game ceased play.

All three players are trying to make the roster and are mostly expected to find a role on special teams. With starters out, Thursday was the ideal night for them to see an expanded role in playing time.

Texans Wire will keep you updated on the status of all three players and the return of Thursday night’s game.

Bears won’t play starters in HOF Game, Will Texans?

The Chicago Bears plan to rest their starters in Canton, Ohio. Will the Houston Texans follow the same plan?

The Hall of Fame Game is a year experience for two teams to get an extra preseason matchup. Usually, that benefits those trying to make the final 53-man squad.

Starters often rest in Canton, Ohio. They stand on the sidelines and support those looking to impress the coaches and earn more playing time the following week when the preseason officially kicks off.

Entering Thursday, Chicago Bears coach Matt Eberflus told local reporters that Chicago’s starters would not play in the Hall of Fame Game. That includes former Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams.

Will the Houston Texans follow a similar path and rest C.J. Stroud, Nico Collins and those guaranteed to make the Week 1 roster? Although it’s expected, second-year coach DeMeco Ryans declined to confirm the stance.

“You guys will all see who will play on Thursday,” Ryans said following Tuesday’s practice. “I’m not going through a list of who is playing, who is not playing. I’m not going through that list. You guys will see who plays on Thursday.”

Chicago, which decided to move off Justin Fields after acquiring the No. 1 overall pick, will start second-year quarterback Tyson Bagent in Canton on Thursday night. While several rookies will play for the Bears, fellow first-round pick Rome Odunze isn’t expected to be one of them.

Could the same be said for second-round pick Kamari Lassiter? The Georgia cornerback might be a rookie, but he immediately flourished the second he arrived in Houston for the start of rookie minicamp with the first-team defense.

Multiple veterans praised Lassiter for his maturity coming from Georgia and consider him almost gameday-ready without even taking a snap outside of practice.

“[He’s] definitely the best young DB I’ve seen coming out of college that I’ve had the chance to go against,” receiver Noah Brown said Monday. “He’s very sticky in coverage, very confident in his ability and I think if he keeps on the pace that he’s at, he could have an elite rookie season and an elite career.”

While Lassiter might sit until next week’s matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the remaining rookie could see action, including fellow second-round pick Blake Fisher. Despite working with the first-team offense, Fisher technically is filling in for the injured Laremy Tunsil at left tackle.

Along with Fisher, other rookies looking to stand out include safety Calen Bullock, tight end Cade Stover, running back Jahwar Jordan, linebacker Jamal Hill and defensive tackle Marcus Harris. Ryans said he’s excited to see the first-year players finally get a taste of the NFL.

“You’ll see a lot of young guys vying for a spot to make it in the NFL,” he said.

Bullock, Houston’s third-round pick out of USC, mentioned that while he’s been training the past two weeks for Thursday’s game, mentally, it’s been on his mind for years.

“I’m excited. I’ve dreamed about this day,” Bullock said. “This day is coming up and now Thursday, it’s the first game for the preseason. Get to go out there in front of everybody. I know everybody is going to be watching. Football is back, so I can’t wait.”