Tag: Troy Hairston

Watch: Texans FB Troy Hairston scores first NFL TD in preseason game vs. Rams

Three years after signing as an undrafted free agent, Troy Hairston found his way into the end zone for his first career touchdown.

Last week, Houston Texans third-year receiver John Metchie III finally scored his first official touchdown in the NFL.

A week later, it was time for Troy Hairston to punch it in for six.

Hairston caught a swing pass from Tim Boyle on the opening play of the second quarter in Saturday’s preseason contest against the Los Angeles Rams for a 5-yard touchdown to give Houston a 10-7 lead.

Hairston, who missed all of last season after suffering a neck injury in practice, is competing for a spot on the active roster. Fullback Andrew Beck might be a lock to make the roster, but Hariston’s value on special teams could push him ahead of newcomer Nick Bawden.

As a rookie still learning how to play the role, Hairston flashed potential in Pep Hamilton’s zone-based scheme. Mostly used on third-down routes, the former Central Michigan linebacker finished with five catches for 19 yards.

The Texans likely will only carry five running backs — including a fullback— on the active roster. Even if Hariston doesn’t make it on the active roster, he’ll be a top candidate to stick around on the practice squad.

Texans FB Troy Hairston questionable to return against the Browns with a rib injury

Houston Texans fullback Troy Hairston is questionable to return against the Cleveland Browns in Week 13 with a rib injury.

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The Houston Texans took a hit to their only fullback.

The club announced during their Week 13 encounter with the Cleveland Browns that rookie Troy Hairston would be questionable to return to the game at NRG Stadium with a rib injury.

On fourth-and-goal from the Browns’ 1-yard line with 13:06 to go in the second quarter, Hairston was blown up and allowed the ball to fall incomplete. Hairston appeared to be holding his groin area when he was tended to by trainers, but it turned out to be a rib injury.

Hairston’s lone target was his only entry into the game book to date.

Fullback Troy Hairston questionable with rib injury

Hairston is considered to be questionable for the remainder of the #Texans’ matchup against the #Browns in Week 13

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The Houston Texans are looking good in the second quarter of their matchup against the Cleveland Browns but may be without the services of their fullback Troy Hairston after he left the game with an injury to his ribs. He is considered questionable at this juncture, and his status for the rest of the game is unknown.

Hairston was targeted by quarterback Kyle Allen on a passing play near the goalline in the second quarter and took a hard hit as the defensive coverage collapsed on him. The play took place on a fourth down, and Houston would later score a safety on the ensuing possession by Cleveland.

The loss of their fullback could be a crushing blow to Houston’s offense if they intend to run the ball more in the second half. Hairston is a capable lead blocker, and would usually serve as an extra body to clear a path for Dameon Pierce on running plays.

Without him, Houston will need to sub a tight end at the position in sets that would usually feature fullbacks, or opt to only run in formations that do not involve designated lead blockers in the backfield.

Special teams coordinator Frank Ross identifies fullback Troy Hairston as a key contributor to his unit

Hairston’s play might not be flashy, but it has endeared him to #Texans special teams coordinator Frank Ross

The Houston Texans are seeking to improve every facet of their game through the rest of the season, and their special teams unit will likely be among the easiest parts of the team to fix ahead of their 2023 rebuild. Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn gets a lot of the credit for scoring points for the team on a weekly basis, but special teams coordinator Frank Ross pointed to another contributor as one of his squad’s most impactful playmakers.

Fullback Troy Hairston’s exceptional play has flown under the radar amid the Texans’ 1-6-1 start, especially the time he has put into honing his skills on punt and kick coverage. Ross was asked about Hairston’s mentality that has made him an indispensable part of the special teams unit and gave a lengthy answer about his pride in the fullback’s development.

“Aside from the fact that he is a high motor, he’s not stopping in everything he does. The physicality, I think you guys have seen that from a physical point of attack at the fullback position where he brings that. Low, plays aggressive. The thing that has impressed me most so far is his willingness to try to learn. To try and take whatever assignments we’re giving him and maximize it. I probably have more conversations with Troy than really anyone. I’m trying to bring him up to speed. He knows he has a lack of experience. He was a D-end, and how he’s playing fullback and special teams.

“Things that are totally foreign, so that learning curve has been bigger. He’s embraced that challenge. There’s going to be mistakes. Hopefully the next time it comes up in the same thing he’s seen before. He’s asked about it through the week. He’s asked, ‘Hey, how can I protect against this? Or how do you see me executing that?’ He’s trying to execute and trying to ask the questions, so that hunger has been impressive. I think, this isn’t a certain, but there’s going to be a high correlation with everybody that’s inexperienced, there’s going to be a high correlation that if you come in willing to ask, willing to learn, of you having a great chance to improve. He’s done that so far.”

While it may not be the flashiest part of Houston’s rebuild, special teams play remains a critical part of any highly competitive team’s winning strategy. As the team looks toward the future and attempts to prove that they’re better than their record would indicate, watch for Hairston’s stand-out play to be a jumping-off point for the team as they seek to improve their approach holistically.

RB Dameon Pierce says Texans worked all week on pitch that led to 75-yard TD run

Houston Texans RB Dameon Pierce says that the team worked all week in practice on the pitch that went 75 yards against the Los Angeles Chargers.

HOUSTON — The Houston Texans offense looked sluggish from the start. Their first four offensive possessions were putrid, to put it mildly. Quarterback Davis Mills threw an interception on the third play of the game. Two possessions later, kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn missed a 46-yard field goal.

Mix in two punts, and you can visualize Texans head coach Lovie Smith on the sideline wondering if his team knew that the game started at noon. Especially with how the Los Angeles Chargers began the game by scoring three touchdowns in their first four offensive possessions.

Houston was in need of an energy boost to get the crowd in attendance to turn those boos that were getting louder every time the offense left the field to cheers.

Only one person on that entire offensive unit could bring the type of excitement that would have been the equivalent of drinking four Red Bulls, and that was rookie running back Dameon Pierce.

The fourth-round pick out of Florida is known to bring a rugged running style and energy every time he touches the ball, and that was on display when he took the handoff from Mills with just over 10 minutes left in the second quarter with his team trailing 21-0.

Pierce, behind the blocking of his fullback Troy Hairston and tight end O.J. Howard broke through the right side of the line and ran 75-yards for a touchdown to get the Texans on the board and put some life back into NRG Stadium.

It was the third longest rushing touchdown in Texans history behind former running backs Lamar Miller (97 yards) and Justin Forsett (81 yards).

“It’s a play that we have been working on all week and in practice we couldn’t get it right, but in the game, it worked out perfect,” said Pierce after the game. “Shout out to T-Roy (Troy Hairston) for setting that initial block. I came off of him and the rest was history. When you have a guy that can run 23-miles-per-hour you shouldn’t get caught.”

Although the Texans lost to the Chargers by a score of 34-24 to keep them winless on the year, Pierce was finally able to display the value he brings to a struggling Houston offense as he finished the day with 131 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown for his first NFL career 100-yard game.

Only Alfred Blue (156) and Steve Slaton (156) have rushed for more than 130 yards in a game.

“There’s a reason why we’re starting a rookie running back,” said Texans head coach Lovie Smith. “Of course, he can run in between the tackles. He can make you miss in open field, but that’s the part of his game that we haven’t seen. Not many running backs going, what was it, 75 yards or so? In the NFL, that’s hard to do. He is just kind of showing you all of the things that he can do. I don’t know exactly how many carries he was able to get today, but he is a guy that we need to continue to feature.”

Before the media dispersed from around Pierce’s locker, he proudly displayed the ball from his touchdown run.

“This is going to my momma,” said a smiling Pierce. “This is her first time coming to Texas (Houston) to see her baby play.”

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Texans staking fullback role on Troy Hairston

The Houston Texans are putting all their chips on Troy Hairston for fullback.

The Houston Texans are investing in fullback. The battle throughout training camp and preseason was between Troy Hairston and Andy Janovich, but that battle has been decided.

The Texans released Janovich on Monday as part of their cuts to get at 80 players. As a result, Hairson, an undrafted free agent from Central Michigan, is the Texans’ lone fullback on the roster.

“He’s caught our eye throughout camp,” coach Lovie Smith told reporters on Monday at Houston Methodist Training Center. “Versatile player and was a defensive lineman in college, low linebacker. Normally those guys can transition over to the fullback position.”

Hairston caught a 4-yard pass against the Los Angeles Rams in the 24-20 win over the defending Super Bowl champions Aug. 19 at SoFi Stadium. The 5-11, 245-pound fullback also played 14 snaps on special teams.

“Brings a lot of athletic ability,” said Smith. “He’s an excellent special teams player, also good lead blocker. We like a lot of things that he’s done.”

With Hairston having a monopoly on fullback duties, it helps the Texans solidify a position as they prepare for their final preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers on Aug. 25 at NRG Stadium.