Tag: Texans roster

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.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=601914802]

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans says moving cut day helps younger players

Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans is in favor of the way the NFL has structured cut day as it provides more practice for younger players.

HOUSTON — With the cancellation of joint practices with the New Orleans Saints this week, the Houston Texans will use the final practice week and preseason game with the Saints to evaluate players who will make the 53-man roster.

The NFL previously allowed teams to make cuts throughout the preseason, but this year they permitted teams to carry 90 players through the last preseason game. Teams must reduce their rosters to at most 53 players by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, Aug. 29. Afterwards, they will make the necessary moves to carry a practice squad of up to 16 players.

“I think the change in the cut is really; it’s been very beneficial to a lot of the young players who probably wouldn’t get that extra week of work,” said Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans on Monday when asked about the new rule.

“To actually see improvement and see growth in their game to allow them to showcase a little bit more of what they can do to possibly be added to an active roster or practice squad. I think moving the cut day is really helpful to the guys where you get more opportunity, more time to spend with the guys.

“They get more reps in this last preseason game as well, so I think it’s very beneficial. We know that there will be a lot of guys on the wire in one day, but you do get an extra look at guys, which I think is encouraging to a lot of these young guys who are putting in work from OTAs and training camp, they deserve the opportunity to get another week to showcase they belong. I’m happy with how it is right now.”

With only three preseason games, Houston has used the allotted time to evaluate some players that may be on the cusp of making their roster. Some assessments will come down to the final preseason game with the Saints on Sunday night in New Orleans, Louisiana.

“With the changes in practice, for us, we initially had the joint practices scheduled, but now with us just being here against each other, I think our plan with that will change,” said Ryans when asked how he, offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, and defensive coordinator Matt Burke will handle playing time for the starters on Sunday. “We’ll discuss that later in the week, and I’ll have updates for you later.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=46913517]

4 takeaways from the Houston Texans’ depth chart release

Here are four takeaways from @therealmarklane as the Houston Texans release their first depth chart of the preseason.

The Houston Texans released their first depth chart of the preseason Aug. 7 ahead of their Aug. 10 preseason opener with the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

There were some aspects of the depth chart that weren’t a surprise — Dameon Pierce is the starting running back, Jimmie Ward and Jalen Pitre are a tandem at safety.

However, there were some decisions the coaches made that were fascinating, much beyond starting C.J. Stroud over Davis Mills.

Here is a look at some interesting items on the Texans’ depth chart.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans gives reasoning behind NFL’s big cut day after preseason

Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans went through the details of why the NFL went to one cut day after preseason as opposed to a series of cuts.

At some level, whether it was once per week as last season or a couple throughout preseason as in years past, cuts have been a part of the NFL preseason.

The Houston Texans won’t have to make any final evaluations until after their exhibition finale at the New Orleans Saints on Aug. 27. The NFL mandates all teams cut down a 53-man roster on Aug. 29.

While DeMeco Ryans may be in his first year as coach, he was a part of the San Francisco 49ers’ staff under Kyle Shanahan going back to 2017. At some level, Ryans has had input into finalizing cuts.

Ryans explained why he believed the league was going with a big cut day rather than staggering the releases as in years past.

“With the one big cut at the end of training camp, I think the thought process from the NFL is just to have more guys available for that last preseason game because what you see happen is you make cuts and you end up in that last game, and a lot of guys are taxed because your starters are not playing that last preseason game, and you have a lot of guys who are playing offense, defense and all the special teams [snaps], so making it one big cut allows you to have enough guys, a big enough roster,” Ryans told reporters Aug. 3. “So, if you want to take care of the starters, you can during that particular time, but you’re also not wearing out the younger guys there.”

More bodies for the finale should help teams preserve contributors for sundry packages on offense and defense while also giving special teams coaches peace of mind that their standouts have a lower chance of injury.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=601915565]

Texans CB Derek Stingley is starting to see entire field ‘at a faster rate’

Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley says that he is starting to see the whole field and at a quicker rate as he transitions to year two.

The NFL is fast paced, and a rookie can get lost in the flow of a 60-minute game.

Derek Stingley showed promise in his rookie season. The former Houston Texans 2022 first-round pick collected 43 combined tackles, 1.0 sack, five pass breakups, and an interception through nine games. A hamstring injury nixed Stingley’s playing time starting in Week 10, and the former LSU product never saw the field for the rest of the season.

As Stingley enters his second season, the young cornerback is starting to have better perception when it comes to the speed of the game.

“Oh, I feel like I’ve improved and I’m seeing the whole field at a faster rate,” Stingley said via Aaron Wilson of KPRC-TV. “I could kind of see it last year and in the years before that, but Year One to Year Two, you can see the pace a little bit more. Nothing’s really unexpected. Nothing really catches you off-guard anymore. I mean, it’s nice.”

Among the 2022 class, fellow first-rounder Ahmad Gardner of the New York Jets and the Seattle Seahawks’ Tariq Woolen, who led the NFL in interceptions, garner more attention nationally. Nevertheless there are some former Pro Bowlers who believe Stingley should be able to assert his dominance and make a name for himself soon.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=1416]

LB Christian Harris may be most underappreciated player on Texans

Second-year linebacker Christian Harris could be the most under appreciated player on the Houston Texans’ roster.

Thanks to the franchise being in rebuild mode — it has fired a coach in each of the past three years, and it endured a 3-13-1 debacle a year ago — the perception is the Houston Texans may be devoid of talent.

GM Nick Caserio and new coach DeMeco Ryans have done their part to upgrade the roster with sensational rookies such as quarterback C.J. Stroud and defensive end Will Anderson. However, the blue chips from the draft class will generate their own buzz, as will second-year running back Dameon Pierce, safety Jalen Pitre and cornerback Derek Stingley.

Nevertheless there is other talent on the Texans that doesn’t receive attention.

According to Cody Benjamin from CBS Sports, the most underappreciated player for Houston is second-year linebacker Christian Harris.

A third-round Alabama product in 2022, Harris was busy in 11 rookie starts, chipping in all over the field with six tackles for loss, five pass deflections and three QB hits. New coach DeMeco Ryans has since hailed his “God-given ability” as a future three-down starter, signaling an expanded role — perhaps as a sort of coverage chess piece a la Fred Warner with the 49ers.

Harris’ stats came in a Tampa-2 scheme. No doubt the emphasis for Houston’s defense will be different in 2023 compared to last year as the Texans’ defensive line will have an emphasis on attacking.

The Texans appear to have cornerstones up front with Anderson and on the back end with Pitre and Stingley. If Harris were able to build on his rookie performance, the former Alabama product would receive appreciation quickly.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=1362]

Texans enter June break with eighth-most salary cap space

The Houston Texans have the eighth-most salary cap space as they enter the doldrums of the offseason ahead of training camp.

The Houston Texans could still make a move.

Whether the Texans will or not is another question, but the ability to add to their roster is present.

According to Field Yates from ESPN, the Texans have the eighth-most salary cap available in the NFL at $16,667,484.

Coach DeMeco Ryans told reporters June 14 after mandatory minicamp that the team is “always evaluating.”

“We’re always looking to add and get better at many different spots on our team,” said Ryans. “So, as you guys know, in the league, your team is never set from what you have in the spring. There’s always transactions, there’s always room for improvement, so we’ll see where our team goes.”

One late addition the Texans made to their roster during the thick of the offseason program was the signing of cornerback Shaquill Griffin. Adding a player who can come to the facility and join the team on the practice field right away is one thing. Acquiring talent that won’t be ready to go until late July is another.

“That will be a fluid situation moving [forward] — not only training camp, but as we go throughout the season,” Ryans said. “The team will always be changing.”

No doubt Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio will have roster evaluation and talent acquisition in mind as both have developed a kinship since February.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=1365]

Texans place DT Taylor Stallworth on reserve/injured list, release TE Eric Tomlinson

The Houston Texans placed DT Taylor Stallworth on the reserve/injured list while also releasing tight end Eric Tomlinson.

The Houston Texans continue to refine their offseason roster as organized team activities begin next week.

The Texans placed defensive tackle Taylor Stallworth on the reserve/injured list Thursday. Stallworth had four combined tackles and a tackle for loss in just one game with the Texans last season.

The Texans also released tight end Eric Tomlinson. The Klein High School product signed with Houston on May 3. Tomlinson originally spent time with the Texans on their practice squad in 2015 and 2016. The 6-6, 263-pounder has spent time with eight different NFL teams since going undrafted out of UTEP in 2015.

Houston also announced they have officially signed cornerback Shaquill Griffin.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=1365]

Report: Texans sign former Patriots DT Byron Cowart

The Houston Texans have signed former New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, and Kansas City Chiefs DT Byron Cowart.

The Houston Texans have added another former New England Patriots player to their 90-man offseason roster.

According to Aaron Wilson from KPRC-TV, the Texans have signed former Patriots defensive tackle Byron Cowart.

The former Patriots 2019 fifth-round pick generated 15 combined tackles, three tackles for loss, three quarterback hits, 1.0 sack, and a pass breakup in his 19 games with New England from 2019-20.

Cowart was unable to carry the momentum of his second season, wherein he started 14 games, into 2021 as he began the season the physically unable to perform list. New England waived Cowart ahead of training camp in 2022.

The 6-3, 300-pound defensive lineman was claimed by the Indianapolis Colts ahead of their training camp, and played 17 games for the AFC South club. Cowart collected 12 combined tackles and two tackles for loss through 17 games. The Colts did not retain Cowart and allowed him to enter free agency.

The Kansas City Chiefs signed Cowart ahead of their offseason program in late March, but he was released on May 10.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=1416]

Report: Texans promote Tom Hayden to director of scouting operations

The Houston Texans have promoted Tom Hayden to be their director of scouting operations.

The Houston Texans are adjusting their personnel and scouting department.

According to Aaron Wilson from KPRC-TV, the Texans promoted Tom Hayden, their college scouting coordinator, to be their director of scouting operations.

General manager Nick Caserio mentioned on Feb. 28 at the NFL combine in Indianapolis that Hayden was part of a group of scouts that had “done a lot of the heavy lifting” to get the organization prepared to evaluate and collect information at the week-long event in early March.

The former University of Pennsylvania fullback joined the Texans in 2018 to replace ex-college scouting coordinator Matt Jansen. Hayden worked with general manager Brian Gaine and coach Bill O’Brien to produce the 2019 draft class.

Prior to working for the Texans, Hayden had an internship with Morgan Stanley and was also a scouting assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=1365]