When the Houston Texans picked C.J. Stroud No. 2 overall in the 2023 NFL draft, smart money said the quarterback would keep his No. 7 jersey number and kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn would more than likely switch to another number.
However, Will Anderson wasn’t able to have the incumbent sporting his college No. 31 — running back Dameon Pierce — make the same gesture. The No. 3 overall defensive end has been wearing No. 51 throughout the Texans’ rookie minicamp May 12-13.
The former Alabama product told reporters Saturday he isn’t particularly married to the jersey number.
“Yeah, really just the number they gave me right now for rookie minicamp,” Anderson said. “I mean, just being at Alabama and them giving me the No. 31, my coach told me just make a name out of it. So if 51 decides to stay here, I’m going to do my best to make a name and just be me. Numbers really don’t matter to me.”
There will be another opportunity for Anderson to switch numbers in case they do start to mean more to him. At the end of preseason, Houston will have to finalize their 53-man roster, and in doing so, more numbers that he may like will be available to choose from.
The last Texans player to wear No. 51 was linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill, who played 20 games with Houston from 2021-22.
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