Tag: Texans training camp 2021

5 takeaways from Texans training camp Day 2

The Houston Texans held their second day of training camp. Here are five observations from day 2.

HOUSTON — The Houston Texans held their second day of training camp practice at the Houston Methodist Training Center on Thursday. Deshaun Watson was out on the field again amid his trade request and pending litigation. 

Watson participated in individual drills for the second day in a row, but did not see any reps during 11-on-11 or 7-on-7 team activities. After practice, David Culley said Watson’s workload during training camp will be day-to-day due to his absence during the offseason.

Outside of the ongoing Watson drama, here are five observations from the second day of Texans’ training camp.

Why RB Phillip Lindsay doesn’t think Texans are ‘the scum bucket’

Houston Texans running back Phillip Lindsay doesn’t think the team are going to be the ‘scum bucket’ in 2021 due to the talent on the roster.

Houston Texans running back Phillip Lindsay has only been with the club since March, but he is getting defensive about the team’s perception in the media.

The Texans have had an offseason replete with drama surrounding quarterback Deshaun Watson, which undoubtedly will impact the position in 2021. Houston has also gone through a shadow of questions surrounding their roster given the way they have signed hordes of veteran free agents to one-year and two-year deals. And then there is the draft where the Texans didn’t make their first selection until Round 3, and their draft class size was a paltry five men.

The Texans are also routinely bottom-3 in various NFL power rankings.

Lindsay doesn’t see the connection when taking the work of the locker room into account.

“You got a bunch of us,” Lindsay said. “Like, think about it. Everybody come in here and they think we’re the scum bucket — I don’t know what they got going on in the media. But everybody has something to prove because there’s some great dudes in there, and also they’re really talented. They played a lot of football, and we just want to get on the same page and we’re going to do that over time. And we’re going to do that win some games. That’s our goal.”

General manager Nick Caserio emphasized in his opening press conference on July 28 that the roster will have tons of competition given the turnover of players in the offseason.

“We have 50 new players again, it’s an great opportunity for everybody to get started,” said Caserio. “The goal for training camp is for everybody to establish a level of performance. We’re not going to predetermine everything. Nobody has a defined role. We’re going to go out there and let the players kind of take care of themselves, and that will sort itself out.

“I’d say we probably have about 79 players that will be kind of working and then we had some other players in different categories relative to whatever their health status is.”

Lindsay and the Texans are confident they can prove to the sports world they truly aren’t the “scum bucket,” although the two-time Pro Bowler may have coined an official nickname for the 20th iteration in franchise history.

Texans coach David Culley says Deshaun Watson’s workload is ‘day to day’

Houston Texans coach David Culley provided an explanation for why Deshaun Watson is getting the workload that he is after two days of camp.

One of the biggest storylines for the Houston Texans in their 20th training camp is what they are doing with quarterback Deshaun Watson.

The three-time Pro Bowler has not rescinded his trade request that he made in late January. The former 2017 first-round pick missed the Texans’ entire eight-week offseason program, including 10 organized team activities sessions, albeit none of it was mandatory.

Coach David Culley met with the media after day two of training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center, and indicated that the workload for Watson, which consists of individual work and playing safety on the scout team, is still being determined on a day-to-day basis.

Tyrod Taylor, Jeff Driskel, and third-round rookie Davis Mills continue to get reps ahead of Watson in individual portion. Watson has not yet taken snaps at quarterback during team portion.

Culley explained after the first day of practice on Wednesday that the Texans are being cautious with Watson as they work through the first week of training camp.

Said Culley: “I’ve never been in a situation where I’ve had a quarterback not go through the offseason, so the point is, not going through the offseason, especially with the nature of the way the league is right now with the limited reps and the limited things that we can do during the offseason, is that we want to make sure during this ramp-up period that nothing happens, you know. I mean, guys throw too much, guys’ arms get sore and we want to make sure none of those things happen.”

[listicle id=61842]

Texans RB David Johnson feels like he is on a new team entirely

Houston Texans running back David Johnson says that with all of the changes that have occurred with the team, he feels on a completely new team.

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio has executed almost 100 roster transactions since taking over in early January.

The amount of moves the Texans have made to their roster has former 2016 All-Pro running back David Johnson feeling like he is on a new team altogether, not simply entering the second season with his second ever club.

“I feel like I’m on a new team, basically that’s the gist of it,” Johnson said. “I feel like I’m the one who got traded or got picked up on a new team, but I’m embracing it as much as I can.”

Johnson is in the midst of a running back battle with Mark Ingram, formerly with the Baltimore Ravens, where current Texans coach David Culley was on staff the last two seasons as a receivers coach. Phillip Lindsay, who made the Pro Bowl in two of his first three seasons with the Denver Broncos, joins the fray as a maverick to win the job.

“I feel like every year for me has been a crazy situation with so many different coaching changes, head coaches and position coaches,” said Johnson. “So I was just really blessed and glad that we got [running backs coach] Danny (Barrett) back.”

Johnson says that he was so focused on day one of training camp on his own job that he didn’t have time to peek around and see three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Deshaun Watson wearing a No. 23 jersey and playing on the scout team defense as a safety.

Said Johnson: “See, I didn’t even see that. No, I wasn’t even paying attention to that. I was mostly just trying to talk to our running back group, Mark and Phil (Lindsay) coming in here new, just trying to get them involved in to the offense.”

If Johnson can be a part of getting the running back group going and lead the offensive production, then the winning will make Johnson feel like on a new team given Houston went 4-12 last season.

[listicle id=62011]

WR Brandin Cooks not focused on who will be Texans’ starting quarterback

Houston Texans receiver Brandin Cooks is not concerned with who will be the starting quarterback; he is merely focused on his job.

There was a good idea that Tyrod Taylor would be the Houston Texans’ starting quarterback come Week 1 of the regular season.

Enter Deshaun Watson, who reported to training camp to avoid a $50,000 per day fine after sitting out the entire offseason program. Although it is unlikely he will play another down for the Texans, given that he has not rescinded his trade request from late January, the possibility is out there: will he be the Texans’ starting quarter back for 2021?

Receiver Brandin Cooks isn’t focused on who is throwing him the ball on the first team offense. Cooks’ job is merely to catch it.

“You know, I didn’t focus on any of that,” Cooks said. “I just kind of focused on coming into camp, being ready the best way I can and whatever happens, happens.”

Through the Texans’ eight-week offseason program, which included 10 days of organized team activities, Cooks was able to get a feel for how the offense would operate with Taylor under center.

“You’re talking about a guy with a great work ethic, a vet, obviously been playing this game for a long time,” Cooks said. “You know, it’s fun out there being able to hear how he sees things when we’re going through plays, so a lot of respect for him.”

Taylor earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2015 as the starting quarterback for the Buffalo Bills. In 2017, Taylor led the Bills to their first playoff appearance since 1999.

In addition to Taylor and Watson, the Texans also have backup Jeff Driskel on the roster along with third-round rookie Davis Mills. When the Watson situation gets resolved, there is also a possibility that Mills could impress enough during training camp and preseason to earn the starting job.

Regardless of who starts against the Jacksonville Jaguars to open the season, Cooks’ concern is hauling in receptions.

[vertical-gallery id=62007]

5 takeaways from Texans training camp Day 1

The Houston Texans held their first day of 2021 training camp. Here are five observations from practice, including how QB Deshaun Watson participated.

HOUSTON — The Houston Texans held their first day of training camp practice at the Houston Methodist Training Center on Wednesday. Prior to kickoff, the elephant in the room was if estranged quarterback Deshaun Watson would take the field amid his trade request and pending litigation against him.

Coach David Culley told reporters after practice that he expected Watson to be in camp.

“We expected him to be here, just like all the other people that were here,” said Culley. “It was no surprise and it was business as usual with everybody here.”

Watson wasn’t the only storyline from day one of camp. Here are five takeaways from the first day of Texans training camp.

Texans QB Deshaun Watson is last in taking reps at training camp

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson was last in line when taking reps at training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center.

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson was the last quarterback when taking reps on day one of training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center.

Watson, who had missed the entire eight-week offseason program following his trade request from late January, reported to training camp to avoid the $50,000 per day fine.

General manager Nick Caserio wouldn’t go into detail on Watson’s workload for day one of camp.

“I’m not going to get into an individual discussion about who’s going to be doing what, and, again, everybody will go out there and whatever they’re going to do, they’re going to do, and I’m not going to comment about somebody, what they’re going to do on a day-to-day basis,” Caserio said.

At camp, Watson was taking reps in individual portion behind quarterbacks Tyrod Taylor, Jeff Driskel, and Davis Mills.

Caserio also said that any decisions that would be made regarding Watson would be collective in nature.

“Again, we’re going to do what we feel is best for the organization on a day-to-day basis,” said Watson. “So, again, it’s a collective effort. Between myself and David Culley we’re going to talk about everything we say, and then we’re going to do what we feel is best.”

WATCH: Texans QB Deshaun Watson arrives at day 1 of training camp

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson took to the practice field for the first day of 2021 training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center.

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson showed up for day one of training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center.

Ahead of practice, general manager Nick Caserio met with the media and said that he wouldn’t get into too much regarding the Watson situation.

“I would say my comments about that are he reported for training camp the other day,” Caserio said. “I know the league put out a statement and made some comments about where they are in that process. I think from our perspective it’s a day-to-day endeavor. We’re going to take the information. We’re going to process that and respectful of everything and everybody that’s involved, take it one day at a time, and ultimately we’re going to do what we feel is best for the Houston Texans.

“I’m sure there will be some speculation as to what the Texans will do, a lot of different scenarios. Quite frankly, I mean, a lot of it is speculation. I’m not going to comment on a bunch of rumors, what we’ve done, what we’re going to do, what the plan is. That’s not what I’m going to do. That’s not my responsibility. The reason I was brought here by the McNair family was to do what I feel is best for the Houston Texans organization on a day-to-day basis, and that’s my responsibility to ownership and that’s my responsibility to players and that’s my responsibility to the coaching staff. So, that’s how we’re going to handle it.”

When Watson arrived on the field, safety Lonnie Johnson greeted him.

Watson warmed up with quarterbacks Tyrod Taylor, Jeff Driskel, and rookie Davis Mills to start off practice.

 

Watson’s trade request is still active. The three-time Pro Bowler initiated the trade request in late January. In that span, Watson has been named as a defendant in a lawsuit wherein 22 women allege he committed sexual assault.

Texans release WR Donte Moncrief, make other roster moves ahead of training camp

The Houston Texans released receiver Donte Moncrief and made other roster moves ahead of their first day of training camp.

The Houston Texans made a series of roster transactions as they gear up for their first day of training camp.

The Texans released receiver Donte Moncrief, terminating his contract as a vested veteran.

Houston also placed tackle Geron Christian, running back Buddy Howell, and receiver Taywan Taylor on the COVID-19 reserve.

Across the league there were 15 players, including the Texans, who were placed on their team’s COVID-19 reserves. All but one of them were the result of a positive test.

Cornerback Cornell Armstrong, defensive end DeMarcus Walker, tight end Pharaoh Brown, and safety Lonnie Johnson were placed on the non-football injury list. However, they will count on the active list.

The Texans’ first practice is at 9:00 a.m. Central Time Wednesday at Houston Methodist Training Center.

NFL says investigation of Texans QB Deshaun Watson still ‘ongoing’

The NFL released a statement wherein they declared the investigation into Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson is still ongoing.

The NFL released a statement on Tuesday declaring that they are still investigating Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Watson remains a defendant in a lawsuit wherein 22 women have accused him sexual assault. Two women, not involved in the lawsuit, have also filed charges against him with the Houston Police Department.

The league says the investigation into Watson is still ongoing, and that he is not precluded from taking part in team activities.

“The NFL’s review of the serious allegations against Deshaun Watson remains ongoing and active,” the statement read.

“We are working cooperatively with the Houston Police Department and ensuring that the NFL’s inquiry does not interfere with their investigation.

“As we continue to gather additional information and monitor law enforcement developments, we will make appropriate decisions consistent with the Collective Bargaining Agreement and the Personal Conduct Policy.

“At this time, there are no restrictions on Watson’s participation in club activities.”

The Texans kickoff training camp Wednesday with a practice at 9:00 a.m. Central Time.