Tag: Texans training camp

Texans not expected to play C.J. Stroud, starters in Hall of Fame Game against Bears

The Houston Texans are not expected to play C.J. Stroud or any of the starters on Thursday night in the Hall of Fame Game.

While the Houston Texans will take the field on Thursday in the annual Hall of Fame Game, C.J. Stroud will not be one of the players to see action. 

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans confirmed during an interview on SportsRadio 610 Wednesday morning that neither Stroud nor the rest of Houston’s starters will play against the Chicago Bears on Thursday.

“When I look at the decision-making process of who’s playing, first thing’s first is we have an extra [preseason] game,” Ryans told Texans’ play-by-play announcer Mark Vandermeer. “So, [we] don’t want any of our starters out there playing.

“Our starters will not be out there playing.”

Chicago’s Matt Eberflus announced Tuesday following practice that the Bears would also rest their starters, including 024 No. 1 overall pick and former Heisman winner Caleb Williams. Tyson Bagnet was named the Bears’ starter in Canton and hopes to secure a spot on the roster. 

Ryans did not specify if former third-round pick Davis Mills would start, but he’s been getting almost all the reps with the second-team offense. 

“We want this time to be a really good evaluation time of our younger guys, so our second and third groups, you’ll see those guys out getting most of the reps,” Ryans said. 

Stroud, along with Pro Bowl receiver Stefon Diggs and All-Pro defensive end Danielle Hunter, honestly don’t need to see the field at any point this preseason. Sure, it would be nice for fans to catch a glimpse of the newcomers in action, but Houston’s top importance is its quality of depth. 

The Texans could elect to at least let the starters see a drive or two next week when they travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers, though it’s uncommon for teams to play starters in the first preseason game. 

Fans should still be pumped to see football back on their television screens, even without Stroud seeing the field. Dameon Pierce has been a standout in practice and now fans can watch him build off his success against a legitimate opponent. 

The same goes for John Metchie, who continues to impress the coaching staff while splitting reps between the first and second-team offense. On defense, former top-10 pick Jeff Okudah is looking to secure his spot on the roster as the No. 3 corner behind Kamari Lassiter and Derek Stingley Jr. 

The Texans will kick off against the Bears at 7 p.m. CT. Two days later, Texans legend Andre Johnson will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, becoming the first player in franchise history to earn the accolade.  

Texans training camp: How Jimmie Ward continues to help Houston’s young secondary

After a decade in the league, Jimmie Ward’s experiences may prove valuable in the growth of Houston’s young secondary.

Earlier this month, Jimmie Ward celebrated his 33rd birthday.

With age comes experience in the NFL and it’s certainly needed in Houston’s defensive backfield come this fall.

Following Denico Autry’s six-game PED suspension, Ward is the oldest projected Week 1 starter on the Texans’ defense and has multiple youngsters to watch in the secondary.

“Yeah, out of all the snaps and the days, years I have had in the game some days are going to start a little bit slow and then pick up later,” Ward said following Monday’s practice about his responsibility to keep the defense on track. “I try to rally the guys up, so does a lot of other guys on defense but when you watch film it’s never as good and it is never as bad.”

Ward arrived last offseason on a two-year, $13 million deal, following head coach DeMeco Ryans to Houston. The safety added a knowledge of the scheme and reliable backend play, totaling 50 tackles, three pass deflections and an interception in 10 games while helping Houston punch its ticket back to the postseason.

Expectations have drastically changed for Houston, who aggressively acquired talent to maximize quarterback C.J. Stroud’s Super Bowl window while on his rookie contract.

Last season. Ward, Dalton Schultz and Sheldon Rankins were considered among the “bigger” signings for the Texans. This offseason, Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon entered the fold via trade while four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter inked a two-year deal.

That’s not all. The Texans added a pair of defensive backs in Georgia corner Kamari Lassiter and USC safety Calen Bullock with two of their first three picks.

Ward’s been impressed, especially with Lassiter’s maturation as a young defensive back.

He is ‘Lockdown,’ he’s got the chain it was cool,” Ward said of Lassiter. “He has been making a lot of plays, its crazy,”

Lassiter, a former second-team All-SEC defensive back, has been working as the No. 2 corner opposite of Derek Stingley Jr. He’s impressed several players on both sides, including receiver Noah Brown, who called Lassiter the best rookie defensive back he’s seen.

 

The depth chart pegged Bullock, one of the top coverage safeties in the class, as the No. 2 safety behind Jalen Pitre, while Eric Murray has been taking first-team reps alongside Ward in camp.

Until Monday’s practice, Pitre’s reps had come at the nickel. The move back to safety came with a shift to a base 4-3 defense.

Ward understands the duality of playing in both the nickel and at safety. He began his career as a slot corner before settling as a free safety. When Ryans took over as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator, he deployed Ward all over the field. After Tashaun Gipson showed progress early on in 2022, Ward shifted back to the slot for the first time in three years.

Something that helps Pitre thrive in both spots, according to Ward, is his lateral quickness to disect plays before they unfold.

“Jalen’s feet are crazy, he is quick. He is like an energized bunny,” Ward said of Pitre. “That is the reason they put him, and then you watch Jalen over there at Baylor. Back in college that is what he played, he made a lot of plays at it so it is just putting him at something that he is familiar with. He rotates at safety, too.”  “Obviously, there are only a handful of guys who can do both and be successful at it and I feel like Jalen is one of those guys.”

Gearing up for 11th NFL season, young players can learn plenty from Ward. They’ll have to on the fly should Houston hope to be back in the postseason picture.

Will Texans QB C.J. Stroud play in the Hall of Fame Game?

C.J. Stroud likely will not see the field on Thursday in the Hall of Fame Game, but never say never these days, right?

Fans of the Houston Texans traveling to Canton, Ohio, to watch the induction of All-Pro receiver Andre Johnson will also get to see the defending AFC South champs play an extra preseason matchup against the Chicago Bears.

In most circumstances, starters rest in Canton, allowing the newcomers to take center stage for the expanded reps. Then again, DeMeco Ryans is adamant about seeing his team see as much action as possible.

So, will reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud see the field come Thursday evening?

“We’ll see,” Ryans said following Monday’s training camp practice.

Stroud, who took the NFL by storm in 2023 after throwing for over 4,000 yards, doesn’t need the extra reps. He continues to impress in practice throw after throw while working with receivers like Stefon Diggs, Tank Dell and Nico Collins.

Even if he were to see the field, the Texans must be precautious about his playing time. Stroud is the most vital player to Houston’s success if it plans on making it out of the divisional round for the first time in franchise history.

The Texans’ offensive line also at times has struggled running drills against the front seven in practice.

These are reps where the whistle will be blown before any chance of a tackle. That won’t be the case in Canton during live reps.

Even though the game is more of an exhibition matchup, Ryans mentioned that every opportunity to make plays is where Houston must grab by the horns head-on.

“Any time we line up, it’s real. So, for the guys who are out there, it’s important,” Ryans said. “That’s the first thing that we have to understand that all these guys are vying for a spot on this team. They’re vying for a spot – a chance to play in the NFL and make it, so we don’t take it lightly.”

Right now, it’s hard to imagine seeing Stroud anywhere near the action, but fans will have their answer Thursday night.

Texans training camp: Juice Scruggs focused on mastering center position

While the Houston Texans could play Juice Scruggs anywhere on the offensive line, his sights set on the center position

For the first time since he arrived in Houston, Juice Scruggs feels like everything is normal.

Tytus Howard, who started seven games at left guard before suffering a season-ending knee injury, is back at his natural right tackle position.

Kenyon Green, the Texans’ 2022 first-round pick who missed the entirety of last season with a shoulder injury suffered in the preseason, is back at left guard.

Shaq Mason, whom Scruggs thinks is one of the NFL’s most underrated players, remains a constant at right guard.

And Scruggs, Houston’s second-round pick of the 2023 draft, is finally back playing his natural center role. Right now, that’s the only spot where he intends to master each rep, even if it’s back to square one.

“I definitely had to go back to the basics,” Scruggs said Friday following practice. “Just start all over. And, now, just picking up on little things that I wasn’t seeing last year and just getting better each day.”

Houston knew it needed to invest in a long-term center after drafting C.J. Stroud No. 2 overall in April. Scruggs, a two-year starter at Penn State, already had an exceptional understanding of Bobby Slowik’s offensive approach since the Nittany Lions ran a similar concept at Beaver Stadium.

But a hamstring injury suffered in the preseason sidelined Scruggs to the start of the year and opened the door for Michael Deiter. By the time the 6-foot-3 lineman was cleared for physical reps, Deiter had established himself as a consistent starter who was rarely penalized.

So, the Texans pivoted, shifting Scruggs over to left guard after Howard was carted off with a knee injury against Jacksonville. Scruggs considers himself a natural center. So do the Texans, but both wanted to remain competitive in the hunt for a postseason berth, thus leading a shifted role.

“I’ll play any position, anywhere the team needs me, but definitely center is what I prefer, for sure,” he said.

Scruggs started eight games, including both playoff outings, lined up next to All-Pro Laremy Tunsil. He excelled, allowing three sacks and three pressures while only being penalized once.

Deiter signed a one-year deal with Washington earlier this offseason, thus opening the door for Scruggs to start.

“I’m happy and excited about Juice in his second year around,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Juice is doing a much better job of commanding the huddle. He’s doing a much better job of being a leader and we’re continuing to lean on him. Continuing to encourage him to continue to grow in that manner.”

Throughout the offseason, Scruggs has been working on his snaps and his relationship with Stroud. The center position is the engine of the offensive line and must be on the same wavelength as the quarterback.

“There is a lot on Juice’s plate, but he’s done a great job of handling everything we’ve thrown at him and it’s just a matter of him continuing to improve and continuing to do his best job of communicating,” Ryans said.

Scruggs, who models his game after Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro Jason Kelce, is up for the challenge of setting the tone. He wants to be the leader in the huddle and a mouthpiece for Stroud. The two have spent time between drills working on calls and audibles to prepare for whatever’s thrown their way.

Last season, Scruggs was learning a new system and a new position while playing injured. A year older, his attention now can be on mastering one position.

“I’ve been able to just focus on football. Like you said, even now, I can just focus on center,” Scruggs said.” So, it’s been very good just coming in, honing on that and just knowing that it wasn’t like last year, for sure.”

Texans training camp: Ben Skowronek continues to fight for role on roster

Ben Skowronek remains a standout in the early days of training camp for the Houston Texans.

When the Texans traded for Rams receiver Ben Skowronek, nothing was promised regarding his long-term role.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans mentioned during OTAs that adding the former seventh-round pick was made to elevate the level of competition in practice.

Fast forward a week into training camp and Skowronek might no longer be competing for a spot on the 53-man roster, especially since he adds value on special teams.

“Skowronek does a great job when it comes to special teams, does a great job of communicating,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Saturday. “Offense — being able to play multiple spots. Tough guy. Likes to get in there and get his nose bloody blocking a little bit.”

A 2021 late-round pick, Skowronek spent three seasons with Los Angeles as a reserve receiver and standout on speical teams. Last year, he served as the Rams’ special teams captain, helping the NFC West franchise clinch a spot in the postseason.

But in a pinch, Skowronek can be a reliable depth receiver. In 2022, he caught a career-high 36 passes for 376 yards.

So far, he’s been consistent in training camp during drills. On Saturday, he caught three passes and scored a touchdown in one-on-one drills. The 6-foot-3 receiver has also been showing out consistently on speical team drills.

“I like the physicality of Skowronek, and I like how smart he is, and I like how he really, really does a great job of communicating,” Ryans said.

The Texans currently have three receivers locked in on the active roster. Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins and Tank Dell aren’t losing their spot after breakout seasons in 2023.  After that, Noah Brown and John Metchie III have been the biggest standouts throughout practice and should be the favorites to make the final 53-man squad.

From there on out, it’s a race to the finish between six other players. Every day, one play stands out. On Saturday, that was Skowronek.

Texans training camp attendance: DE Will Anderson Jr does not participate in Saturday’s practice

Will Anderson Jr. was the latest member of the Houston Texans to have an off-day from practice.

DeMeco Ryans mentioned earlier this week that every player is on their own schedule regarding injuries. Perhaps the Texans are just giving players an off-day with an extended training camp.

Second-year defensive end Will Anderson Jr. did not participate in drills during Saturday’s practice heading into the off-day. The former No. 3 overall pick wasn’t showing signs of injury, so it could just be a day of rest.

Anderson, the reining Defensive Rookie of the Year, has been terrorizing C.J. Stroud every practice while going up against rookie Blake Fisher and Tytus Howard. Throughout team drills, Anderson has proven to only grow as a pass rusher since taking reps in the offseason with reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett.

“I always feel like there’s somebody trying to take my position, and there’s somebody always behind me that’s trying to come get what I want,” Anderson said. “I always want to stay on edge, always want to stay in front, always want to stay up to date with whatever I’ve got going on. That was my whole mindset, and that’s my mindset now.”

Running back Joe Mixon showed signs of returning by working out on the side practice field in agility drills. He’s been dealing with a lower-body injury and hasn’t practiced in over a week.

Laremy Tunsil, the Texans’ Pro Bowl offensive tackle, still hasn’t been cleared to practice, but he did stop by the practice field to watch a few drills. Tunsil underwent a successful arthroscopic knee surgery in the offseason after dealing with the injury throughout last season en route to a division title.

Linebacker Christian Harris still hasn’t practiced since the start of training camp. Quarterback Case Keenum, who did not practice on Friday, did return for drills.

The Texans have two more practices before leaving for Canton, Ohio, to take the Bears in the annual Hall of Fame Game.

Texans training camp: C.J. Stroud limps off field during drills, expected to be fine

C.J. Stroud suffered a minor foot injury during drills on Saturday, but the Houston Texans quarterback remained in the huddle.

A brief scare occurred Saturday morning at the Methodist Training Center during the Houston Texans training camp practice.

Second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud limped off the field with what looked to be a minor foot injury during team drills. From the sidelines, it looked as if the former No. 2 overall pick had been run over by a teammate while trying to evade the pressure.

Stroud played through the pain and remained on the field to finish the drill. He connected twice with Stefon Diggs and Brevin Jordan before limping off under his own power.

After the second and third-team offense ran a couple of series, Stroud returned to the field, this time without any noticeable limp. He maneuvered his way through the pocket and evaded the pressure while completing several passes for a pair of first downs.

After practice, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said there was no concern about the minor ailment.

Stroud, the reining Offensive Rookie of the Year, is Houston’s top player. The offense has shown to be dormant without him, especially last season late in the year when he suffered a concussion.

While the offensive line has been limited without Pro Bowl offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, that can’t be an excuse for Houston’s offense to regress. After adding in Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon, Stroud has a chance to be a favorite to win the NFL’s MVP award.

The Texans won’t practice on Sunday, so Stroud will have an extra day to rest. He also likely won’t play on Thursday in the Hall of Fame Game against the Bears in Canton, Ohio.

Texans training camp: Azeez Al-Shaair taking lead in DeMeco Ryans’ vision

Azeez Al-Shaair has already proven he’s Houston Texans’ defensive quarterback and is ready to run the show for DeMeco Ryans in 2024

It’s been four months since Azeez Al-Shaair arrived in Houston, but he’s already a household veteran who’s taken control as the leader of the Texans’ defense. 

Undrafted out of Florida Atlantic in 2019, Al-Shaair is coming off a career year, finishing top-five in tackles with 163 stops. The 2023 campaign was also the first time he’s been away from Texans coach DeMeco Ryans.

That wasn’t all intentional. Initially, Al-Shaair hoped to follow his former defensive coordinator from San Francisco to Houston, but it never transpired. So he bet on himself to earn more next offseason, inking a one-year deal with rival Tennessee.

From Nashville, Al-Shaair watched as the Texans turned their team around with a surprising playoff appearance. Ryans also took a 2-0 season sweep over Al-Shaair as Houston secured its first division title since 2019.

With Blake Cashman leaving in free agency, Al-Shaair became a priority signing once the offseason began. Now proven in a new unit, the Texans came forth with a much more suitable three-year offer. 

“He showed he was capable of running the show,“ Ryans said of the signing.

Ryans has handed the keys to Al-Shaair as the team’s new field general. He’s taken the title head-on since arriving in Houston, often setting the tone as an on-field coach during practice.

One week into training camp, everybody’s become accustomed to Al-Shaair’s voice on the field, especially the newcomers still adjusting to life in the pros.

“He’s just giving me game, just telling me little things here and there that are going to help me out,” rookie cornerback Kamari Lassiter said. “Even though we play two different positions, he understands the game and the defense very thoroughly.”

Al-Shaair’s tough love comes from a good place. It’s all about wanting his teammates to improve. His teachings aren’t limited to just the linebacker room, either.

“Today, in practice, he got on me because I had made a check real quick that was wrong,“ defensive back Jalen Pitre said following Tuesday’s practice. So, I think that leadership and accountability will do nothing but uplift this team.“

Al-Shaair is similar to Ryans in more ways than one. The latter earned his “Cap” reputation by consistently doing the right thing while leading Houston’s defense years ago to its first postseason appearance under Gary Kubiak.

Houston hopes that Al-Shaair can have a similar effect as it looks to improve in a few areas. The Texans surrendered the 11th fewest points per game (20.8) but ranked in the bottom 10 in passing yards allowed.

“Adding Azeez to our team has been really valuable because of his experience, the way he communicates and the leadership he brings when it comes to bringing guys together,“ Ryans said following Friday’s practice.

Texans training camp: Tight ends fighting for playing time

The Houston Texans have a lot of offensive weapons including their tight ends, which have flown under the radar until Wednesday’s action.

The Texans’ receiver room is not just deep but also filled with quality contributors who could start elsewhere. Nico Collins, Tank Dell and newcomer acquired Stefon Diggs form a fearsome trio. Meanwhile, Noah Brown and John Metchie III serve as depth pieces.

The group has deservedly received its share of attention, but the Texans tight ends were a big part of the action at Wednesday’s practice.

 

Dalton Schultz, who bet on himself last offseason when he signed a one-year deal with Houston, re-upped with the team on a three-year, $36 million contract before the start of free agency.

His spot is secure after hauling in 59 passes for 635 yards with five touchdowns, but the Texans wanted more depth behind him. In the draft, they bolstered the room by selecting former Ohio State star and C.J. Stroud’s top red zone target in Cade Stover.

Stover, the No. 123 pick, is a front office favorite, as evidenced by general manager Nick Caserio’s gushing over the Buckeyes’ product after the draft.

He also has a rapport with Stroud from their time together at Ohio State. In 2022, he helped the future Offensive Rookie of the Year lead the Buckeyes back to the College Football Playoff while catching 36 passes for 406 yards and five scores.

“I was already on the phone with him before I got drafted that morning,” Stover told Texans TV host Drew Dougherty. “He was like, ‘Dude, we’re coming to get you. Tell me who likes you.’ And I was like, ‘Oh, these [teams] kind of like me, so if you could get in front of them, it would be real nice.”

Houston used multiple tight ends sparingly last season, running 12 personnel—one running back and two tight ends—on 9.1 percent of its plays, below the league average of 19.2 percent, according to Sumer Sports. 

Stover’s arrival adds to Houston’s offense’s versatility, providing an inline option at tight end. However, Brevin Jordan and Teagan Quitoriano aren’t letting Stover take over No. 2 duties without a fight.

A fifth-round pick of Miami in 2021, Jordan is coming off his best professional season. He had a career-best 219 receiving yards last year and made a game-altering play when he scored a 76-yard touchdown against the Cleveland Browns in Houston’s 45-14 wild-card round victory.

“I’m excited to see Brevin’s growth. Brevin is a young player that I think has even more in the tank,” Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said following Friday’s practice. 

Jordan is heading into a contract year and, by all accounts, had a strong offseason to prepare for another career campaign. 

Quitoriano has never been a huge target earner and has been more known for his blocking. He caught less than 20 passes at Oregon State in all four seasons. During his first two years with the Texans, he had 17 targets in the 16 games he appeared in.

Two trips to the IR also have factored into his limited progression.

Schultz will likely play sparingly in the preseason, allowing the three tight ends behind to see time and compete for a higher spot on the depth chart.

Houston opens its preseason next Thursday against the Bears at the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.

Texans Training Camp: Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson’s work ethics wowing teammates

When the Houston Texans signed Danielle Hunter they paired two of the league’s hardest working pass rushers.

When Jonathan Greenard signed with the Minnesota Vikings early in free agency, it seemed Houston Texans star defensive end Will Anderson Jr. would have to shoulder a heavier load in Year 2.

Then, the Houston Texans gave him a running mate in Danielle Hunter to form one of the league’s top pass-rushing tandems.

Hunter, who spent eight seasons with Greenard’s-now Vikings, chose to return home on a two-year deal worth $49 million. A native of Katy, the four-time Pro Bowler dominated the local Houston competition at Morton Ranch High School before taking his talents to LSU.

Anderson’s relentless motor attracted Houston in the 2023 NFL Draft, leading it to mortgage a bit of its future to move up nine spots to No. 3 overall to make him the heir apparent of three-time Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt.

Together, they may be the NFL’s hardest-working duo.

“I sit next to Danielle in the locker room, and we talk every single day, same thing with Will, talk to him every single day and just their mindset and their work ethic just speaks for itself,” linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair said following Monday’s training camp practice.

The pair of 2023 Pro Bowlers combined for 23.5 sacks and 33 tackles for loss, including a league-leading 23 from Hunter, and both finished top 20 in pass rush win rate, according to Pro Football Focus.

“Obviously, they’re great players, but it comes from the work that they put in as well,” Al-Shaair said.

Anderson’s offseason work has included putting on weight to better survive a full season, jumping from 248 pounds to 263. Early returns have been positive, albeit without pads thus far.

“I’m bringing my skills and knowledge, teaching everybody on the d-line skills that they need to take their game to the next level,” Hunter said after Friday’s practice. 

The duo’s relationship is growing, with Anderson calling Hunter “very approachable” while learning from the seasoned veteran.

Hunter, who has 87.5 career sacks, isn’t showing signs of slowing down after posting a career-high 16.5 sacks last season. He’s also been durable. Outside of the 2020 season and most of 2021, he’s played at least 14 games each year.

And when on the field, he’s been near-impossible to block.

 

Houston finished 2023 with a franchise-leading 46 sacks. Along with Hunter, the Texans signed Denico Autry, who has flown under the radar due to all the marquee names on the practice field.

Pads are on and fans will be eager to see the talented pass-rushing group, headlined by its two hardest workers moving forward.