Tag: Texans preseason

Houston Texans 53-man roster: Who makes the cut after the Saints game?

Take a look as @johnhcrumpler provides his best guess as to the Houston Texans’ 53-man roster following the preseason finale.

The Houston Texans beat the New Orleans Saints 17-13 in the preseason finale Sunday night at Caesars Superdome.

The next step for the team will be roster cut downs, as franchises around the league are required to be down to 53 players by 3:00 p.m. Central Time. General manager Nick Caserio and coach DeMeco Ryans have had the opportunity to learn a lot about the players present on their team during training camp and throughout games the last month.

Everyone knows the headliners from free agency and the past few drafts that are locks to lead the roster this year. What about the candidates that will be necessary depth to carry momentum through the year?

Here is a look at the last best guess to the Texans’ 53-man roster.

C.J. Stroud throws TD, Texans outlast Saints 17-13

The Houston Texans beat the New Orleans Saints 17-13 in the preseason finale, and QB C.J. Stroud threw his first touchdown pass.

C.J. Stroud threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to receiver Nico Collins and the Houston Texans prevailed 17-13 over the New Orleans Saints Sunday night in the Caesars Superdome.

Much like his first preseason game at the New England Patriots, Stroud played just two drives. The No. 2 overall pick went 2-4 for 16 yards, and third-year Davis Mills replaced him to start the third drive.

Saints starter Jameis Winston played into the first minute of the second quarter. The former 2015 No. 1 overall pick completed 11 passes on 16 attempts for 93 yards and a touchdown before Jake Haener took over.

The Texans’ Mike Boone led all running backs with seven carries for 51 yards and a touchdown. The former Minnesota Viking and Denver Bronco also caught four passes — tied with rookie receiver Xavier Hutchinson for the team-high — for 26 yards. Hutchinson had two more receiving yards to lead Houston.

New Orleans tight end Lucas Krull caught a game-high seven passes for 106 yards.

Houston’s defense produced two sacks, each from defensive tackle Khalil Davis and cornerback Desmond King. Safety Grayland Arnold procured the Texans’ lone interception of the game. Safety Eric Murray led with six combined tackles on the evening.

While the Texans remain the last team to declare a starting quarterback for Week 1, none would be surprised if the team picked Stroud.

The Texans open Sept. 10 at 12:00 p.m. Central Time at the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.

New Orleans hosts the Tennessee Titans Sept. 10 at Caesars Superdome for a 12:00 p.m. Central Time kickoff.

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WATCH: Texans RB Mike Boone scores 11-yard touchdown against the Saints

Houston Texans running back Mike Boone scored an 11-yard touchdown on the ground against the New Orleans Saints in preseason.

The Houston Texans may have their running back hierarchy, but that is still no reason to sleep on Mike Boone.

The Texans’ RB3 flashed bell-cow moves against the New Orleans Saints Sunday night at the Caesars Superdome. With the score tied 10-10 with 2:29 to go in the second quarter, Boone took a handoff from quarterback E.J. Perry and sprinted 11 yards for a touchdown. Along the way, Boone used the spin cycle to get out of a few would-be Saints tackles.

Boone, 28, has played 57 career games for the Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos. Houston signed Boone to a two-year contract in free agency.

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WATCH: Texans QB C.J. Stroud throws touchdown to WR Nico Collins

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud threw his first touchdown pass of preseason against the New Orleans Saints.

Better late than never.

With 7:22 to go in the first quarter of the preseason finale against the New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome, Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud threw a 3-yard touchdown pass.

The touchdown is Stroud’s first of the preseason. The No. 2 overall pick’s night was finished after the drive as Houston inserted third-year Davis Mills. Stroud completed two passes on four attempts for 16 yards.

The Texans were the last team to name a starting quarterback for Week 1. Coach DeMeco Ryans has teased throughout the preseason that they will have a starter against the Baltimore Ravens. However, the surprise may be anticlimactic.

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Texans G Kenyon Green wants to improve technique in second season

Houston Texans guard Kenyon Green is looking to improve upon his technique as he enters his second NFL season.

HOUSTON — With only one preseason game left before the start of the NFL regular season, many players from the Houston Texans will try to make a strong impression on head coach DeMeco Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio against the New Orleans Saints before Tuesday’s deadline to cut the roster from 90 to 53 players.

Those players on the borderline of making the Texans roster won’t be the only ones with something to prove inside the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Second-year offensive guard Kenyon Green will make the most of the limited snaps the starters will receive.

Green, whom the Texans took in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M, is looking to rebound from his rough rookie season, where he was matched up against some of the best defensive tackles in the league. In his 15 games played, he allowed four sacks, which is very rare for the former two-time Consensus All-American, but what was unacceptable by Green’s standards were the 12 penalties he committed.

He missed OTAs due to a minor arthroscopic knee surgery and was limited to begin training camp. Yet, when he finally began to play, you could see the work he had put into the offseason to get better and help his team heading into the regular season.

“Just technique,” Green said about what he wants to improve this season. “Technique and just finishing plays. That’s what I’m focused on right now. Technique and finishing plays, hands inside, just trying to be the best player I can be.”

He only played 12 snaps against the New England Patriots in the first preseason game. He was part of the group that allowed a lot of pressure on rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, giving him a limited amount of time to make decisions. It was the first game he played with rookie center Juice Scruggs, who was inserted into the starting lineup after Scott Quessenberry went down in training camp with a season-ending injury.

Green and Scruggs finally got on the same page in game two against the Miami Dolphins, where they allowed Stroud to operate in a clean pocket as he completed 66.7% inside the tackle box as no Dolphins defensive player took Stroud down for a sack.

“We came out with the mindset that we were going to dominate on the offensive line,” Green said after practice on Friday. “The main thing was we don’t want to give up any sacks. Juice [Scruggs] is advanced. It is really fun playing with him knowing learning, but also knowing what to do. He is getting everything down like he should. He commands the huddle.”

With the starters playing limited snaps in the final preseason game, Green will have an opportunity to get more time with Scruggs and Stroud, which will help the communication grow as they head into the regular season.

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Texans vs. Saints live blog: 17-13 Houston, FINAL

Follow along for live updates as the Houston Texans conclude preseason against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome.

The Houston Texans finish up preseason against the New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome Sunday night.

Initially the Texans and Saints were going to have joint practices ahead of the exhibition contest, but Houston and New Orleans felt the clash of rosters was superfluous at this juncture in camp.

How to watch

Houston Texans at New Orleans Saints — Sunday, Aug. 27, 7:00 p.m. CT

TV channel: Fox 26 (KRIV-TV)

Live stream: FuboTV

Radio: Sports Radio 610 (KILT-AM), Mega 101 (KLOL-FM) (Marc Vandermeer & Andre Ware)

Location: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, La.

Forecast: Forecast: Partly cloudy, 91 degrees, 8 mph wind (indoors)

Follow the @TheTexansWire and the crew (@therealmarklane, @BigSargeSportz, @chrisnallsnfl @JohnHCrumpler)

Pregame

First quarter

15:00 — New Orleans starts on offense.

12:16 — The Texans force QB Jameis Winston to throw incomplete on a third-and-5 from the 50-yard line.

12:12 — New Orleans’ punt lands as a touchback. Houston will start first-and-10 at their own 20.

11:20 — On a third-and-7 from the Houston 23, QB C.J. Stroud sends a ball deep left for WR Robert Woods that falls incomplete.

10:51 — Winston throws deep left incomplete on a third-and-10 from the Saints’ 31-yard line.

7:22 — Stroud throws a 3-yard touchdown to WR Nico Collins. Extra point is good. 7-0, Texans

5:45 — QB Davis Mills enters the game. Stroud’s night is done: 2-of-4 for 16 yards and a touchdown.

Second quarter

14:25 — Winston throws a 3-yard touchdown pass to TE Jimmy Graham. Extra point is good. 7-7

1:53 — K Ka’imi Fairbairn hits a 28-yard field goal. 10-7, Texans

Halftime

12:53 — The Texans drive 17 yards in four plays to take 2:07 off the clock to start the third quarter. Mills was still in at quarterback for the drive.

6:30 — K Blake Grupe kicks a 38-yard field goal. 10-10

6:18 — QB E.J. Perry comes in for the Texans. Mills night finished as he went 6-11 for 53 yards.

2:29 — RB Mike Boone rushes for an 11-yard touchdown. Extra point is good. 17-10, Texans

Fourth quarter

9:08 — Grupe 50-yard field goal is good. 17-13, Texans

4:42 — It’s the preseason. Why not? The Saints send Grupe for a 60-yard field goal that is wide right, no good.

2:00 — S Grayland Arnold picks off Saints QB Jake Haener in the end zone. That should wrap up the preseason as New Orleans just has two timeouts left.

0:55 — CB Cameron Dantzler gets an interception as well. A couple kneel-downs from Perry should do it this time.

0:00 — The preseason is over. Who will be named the Texans’ starting quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens?

Texans special teams coach Frank Ross says DeMeco Ryans excels at connection

Houston Texans special teams coach Frank Ross says that one of DeMeco Ryans’ best attributes is his ability to connect.

Everyone has been older than Frank Ross.

Whether the Houston Texans special team coordinator was getting his break in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts and Frank Reich or serving under David Culley and Lovie Smith the past two seasons in Houston, the coaches ranged from big brother to father figures.

DeMeco Ryans is in a new category. The Texans’ sixth coach in team history is three years older than the 36-year-old Ross. For once, someone who is a peer is Ross’ boss.

However, Ross does not mind the age gap — or lack thereof.

“Doesn’t matter about necessarily age, but the one part about the NFL is that it keeps everybody young,” Ross told reporters Aug. 24. “We’re all out here faking like we have jobs, but we get to just play a game for fun so I guess age doesn’t really necessarily matter in that regard.”

What Ross has noticed as he has worked with Ryans is the former Pro Bowl linebacker’s ability to relate.

Said Ross: “The guy has the ability to connect with any human there is, so whether that’s talking about the nitty gritty all the way down to the x’s and o’s, the operation, or whether it’s just having a conversation.”

Even though Ross and Ryans are close in age, the special teams coach still sees an opportunity to grow and learn.

“So far, it’s been nothing but fantastic learning from him, a guy who has done it at the highest level, a guy that’s done it,” said Ross. “I mean I’m going to be all ears and anytime he is speaking I’m going to have my antennas up listening. Just trying to absorb as much as I can from his knowledge.”

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Texans QB C.J. Stroud rookie card sells for $6,750 in online auction

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud had a rookie card draw $6,750 in a recent online auction, the highest one of his cards has sold for to date.

The excitement surrounding the Houston Texans and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud is palpable and continues to produce new evidence.

The latest entry comes from the sports card and memorabilia world where the No. 2 overall pick had a card go for a hefty price. According to PWCC Market Place, Stroud’s 2023 Panini Instant Premiere First Look Black 1-of-1 autographed rookie trading card sold for $6,750 Thursday night in their Premier Auction. The final bid makes the Panini product Stroud’s highest-selling card thus far.

The card is the first licensed production that shows Stroud in a Texans uniform, and the Black parallel of the card is reportedly the only such copy in existence.

A PWCC Market Place spokespersons says Beckett Grading deemed the 1-of-1 Black signature parallel a “near mint” 8.5 and Stroud’s autograph caught a perfect 10.

Stroud and the Texans finish up the preseason Aug. 27 against the New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome.

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Texans sign rookie punter, release CB Darius Phillips, waive OT Jacky Chen

The Houston Texans signed P Ty Zentner, released CB Darius Phillips, and OT Jacky Chen.

The Houston Texans are tinkering with their roster as they prepare to take on the New Orleans Saints Aug. 27 at the Caesars Superdome.

The club announced Friday they signed undrafted rookie punter Ty Zentner, who had previously been with the Philadelphia Eagles since rookie minicamp. Philadelphia released Zentner on Aug. 18. The Kansas State product had a 46-yard punt in the first preseason game, and was able to showcase his talents in the second contest with five punts for 199 yards, a 39.8 average.

The Texans released cornerback Darius Phillips, a former Cincinnati Bengals 2018 fifth-round pick. Phillips also spent time with the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders in 2022.

Houston also waived rookie tackle Jacky Chen.

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QB C.J. Stroud doesn’t listen to outside noise concerning the Texans

Houston Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud claims he only focuses on his job and doesn’t listen to the outside noise regarding the team.

HOUSTON — Not many things off the field bother C.J. Stroud. The Houston Texans rookie is a firm believer in his faith and family, which ultimately allows the quarterback to stay concentrated on football.

From local radio to social media there is chatter about the Texans not naming a Week 1 starter against the Baltimore Ravens. Stroud doesn’t hear it as he continues to focus on improving himself and the team’s chances.

“I ain’t tripping. Just do what’s on my plate. I’m not worried about anybody else’s plate,” said Stroud when asked about the conversation surrounding the starting position. “I got to focus on what we got going on in this locker room and just getting better every day. It’s not about any of that stuff. It’s about competing every day and just getting better. That’s not my job. My job is to go out there and play. I got the fun stuff to do.”

Stroud has taken most of the first-team reps in practice over the last month and was named the starter for the final preseason game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday by coach DeMeco Ryans earlier this week.

Before organized team activities and training camp began, Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio vehemently said there would be a quarterback competition between Stroud and third-year player Davis Mills, who started 15 games for Houston last season. Yet, after the first couple of days during camp, Stroud has held the edge over Mills.

First-year offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik spoke to the media on Thursday but was hesitant to say who will call plays for the Texans during the regular season.

“The evaluation never ends, quite honestly,” Slowik responded when asked about the competition heading into the game with the Saints. “They all have steps they can take,” Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said. “They all have places they can go with their game that they haven’t quite got to yet to be more efficient and just cleaner with the operation and with the footwork and some little things like that. We’ll just keep grinding through that.”

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