Tag: Texans

Report: Texans work out journeyman DL Caraun Reid

The Houston Texans worked out journeyman defensive lineman Caraun Reid on Monday, giving him a physical after.

With the bye week over with, the Houston Texans are molding their roster for the stretch run. On Monday, they worked out defensive lineman Caraun Reid, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.

Reid, 27, last played with professional football with the Dallas Cowboys. In 2018, the 6-2, 292-pound lineman tallied 10 combined tackles, a half-sack, a tackle for loss and three QB hits in 10 games, one start, for the Cowboys.

Reid was a Detroit Lions fifth-round selection out of Princeton in 2014. He spent two seasons in Michigan — starting 12 games in the second — before waiving him in the preseason. The then-San Diego Chargers claimed him, only to see him play seven games before tearing his ACL.

The Lions claimed Reid off of waivers after the 2017 preseason. From there, he spent short visits with the Washington Redskins and Indianapolis Colts before landing in Arlington. The Cowboys released him on Sept. 1, leading the Colts to sign him and waive him two months later.

Texans re-sign DL Joel Heath, waive OL Dan Skipper

The Houston Texans are bringing back defensive lineman Joel Heath. They waived offensive tackle Dan Skipper to sign him.

The Houston Texans have brought back a familiar face. The organization they have re-signed defensive lineman Joel Heath. In a corresponding move, Houston waived offensive lineman Dan Skipper.

Heath, 26, was waived by the Texans on Aug. 31 during final cuts. He previously signed with Houston in 2016 after going undrafted out of Michigan State.

In his three seasons as a Texan, Heath logged 30 games, including 15 starts. A 6-6, 310-pound lineman, he amassed 34 combined tackles, three sacks and three tackles for loss in his first stint in Houston.

Heath struggled with knee injuries over the last two seasons. He worked out with the New England Patriots on Oct. 31.

Skipper, 25, signed with the Texans off the Patriots’ practice squad on Oct. 16. A 6-10, 320-pound lineman, he saw the bulk of his snaps with the Texans — in three games — as a jumbo package tight end. If he clears waivers, he is eligible to sign with the Texans’ practice squad.

Special teams unit trying to be a turning point for the Texans

The Houston Texans’ special teams unit is trying to be a turning point for the team in 2019. Though less flashy, they are putting in work to win.

The offense and defense may get the credit for a team’s success. However, a lack of competency on special teams can be the ultimate restraint. The Houston Texans employ that train of thought; it’s visible in their recent improvement since special teams coordinator Brad Seely’s arrival in 2018.

Under Seely, the Texans have elevated from 29th in Football Outsiders‘ special teams rankings in 2017 to seventh in both 2018 and 2019 (through Week 9). For long-time Texans long snapper Jon Weeks, that improvement comes via a group that puts their collective heads down and works.

“I think we have a great special teams unit. I think we have a lot of great guys that understand their role on the team,” Weeks told The Texans Wire Monday. “They work very hard to better themselves each day. I think that we understand that there is always room for improvement.”

From Weeks to kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn to punter Bryan Anger to returner DeAndre Carter, the goal is simple for the Texans’ “third-team”: be a turning point, and, subsequently, make plays.

“We can be a turning point for this team,” Weeks continued. “We can help this team with explosive plays, whether its kickoff or punt returns or just making a big tackle on our kickoff coverage.”

Under coach Bill O’Brien, the Texans have taken a Bill Belichick-like approach to their special teams. Their 53-man roster contains a handful of specialized special teamers; including running backs Buddy Howell, Taiwan Jones, linebackers Barkevious Mingo, Tyrell Adams, Peter Kalambayi and safety A.J. Moore.

There is one consistent in the Texans’ special teams unit: hard work. Like the defensive line’s “Lunch Pail Crew,” the group takes pride in constant improvement and grinding out the less-flashy snaps.

“We understand the group of guys in our locker room,” said Weeks. “We understand that we can be special. But, we also understand that we have to put the work in to do it. Which is why I think everyone has seen the improvement because we have a bunch of guys that are willing to come in every day and put in work and make sure we are getting the best out of each other.”

Moving forward, the special teamers of the Texans may not be the superstars you tune into on Sundays. However, without them, Houston may not boast their 6-3 record and current AFC South first-place ranking.

4 Texans who have to step up after the bye

With the bye week done, the Houston Texans will rely on a few players to get to the playoffs, including Gareon Conley and Charles Omenihu.

The bye week is behind the Houston Texans. With a week of rest in the books, Harris County’s finest now have their eyes set on the playoffs, and potentially more. However, getting there won’t be easy.

With the Texans’ defense a shell of what it used to be, Houston has reverted to becoming an offensive team. While Deshaun Watson and Co. can put up points in bunches, the defense must have some sort of reliability to backup the dynamic offense. Therefore, there are four Texans who have to step-up after the bye, with an emphasis on defense.

1. CB Gareon Conley

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(AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

With the offensive line no longer acting as Houston’s kryptonite, the cornerback room becomes a prime position group in-position. The Texans, before the trade deadline, addressed the issue by bringing in 24-year-old and former Raider Gareon Conley in via trade.

The Texans have seen better cornerback play in Conley in the mix. In his two weeks of defending opposers’ No. 1 wide-outs, he has allowed a 50% completion rate, 136 yards, a touchdown and a 93.7 passer rating, per Pro Football Reference — stark improvements from his days in Oakland.

Houston needs a true lock-down cornerback. That only gets emphasized considering their lack of pass-rush with J.J. Watt out for the year. Conley is their top-option to do so. Though they don’t need Darrelle Revis, he can’t be Kevin Johnson either.

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Texans eager for imminent return of receiver Will Fuller

The Houston Texans could be receiving wide receiver Will Fuller back into the lineup again. Naturally, they are excited about that.

The Houston Texans have adjusted well to the absence of wide receiver Will Fuller. Since the speed merchant suffered a hamstring injury in Week 7, Houston has won back-to-back games, averaging 413 yards per in the process.

However, when Houston can get Fuller back, they will. Though oft-injured and prone to drops, his speed, chemistry with Deshaun Watson and route-running adds an extra dynamic to the offense.

“Having a healthy a Will Fuller is no question a positive for the Houston Texans. Helps everybody in the room. Helps the team,” said wide receivers coach John Perry on Nov. 5.

On the season, Fuller has recorded 34 receptions for 450 yards and three touchdowns. His 17 deep targets rank second in the NFL, per PlayerProfiler, despite the missed time while his average target distance of 15 yards sits at 12th.

“It’s just good for him,” Perry continued, “because he’s such a good person who’s worked so hard. You just hate to see guys be injured at all. We’re excited to get the opportunity to have him back in the second half of the year.”

Fuller’s hamstring injury suffered in Week 7’s loss was expected to sideline him for a few weeks. However, his time table to return did not warrant a placement on the injured reserve.

Houston has employed the help of Kenny Stills to fill-in for Fuller. In his two weeks in the starting lineup, Stills has eight receptions for 74 yards.

Houston’s Week 10 bye may have allowed Fuller the adequate time to return to the lineup. Before the team went mute for the week, coach Bill O’Brien alluded to him trending in the right direction for his return.

Whether or not Fuller does return for Week 11’s tilt with the Baltimore Ravens will be known throughout the week. The first indication of his availability will be Wednesday’s practice, followed by reports on Thursday and Friday.