Houston Texans Rosterology Before Vikings Preseason Game

Predicting the Houston Texans 53-man roster.

The first week of training camp was a doozy. The offensive line woes continued, the injuries piled up, but the Texans approach their first preseason game on Saturday.

At practice this past week, several rookies have sustained severe injuries. Seventh-rounder Kyonte Hamilton is out for four months with a fractured ankle and sixth-round pick Jaylin Reed has suffered a lower leg injury. They add to a growing list of veterans who have yet to practice, which include Foley Fatukasi, Kurt Hinish, Derek Barnett, Denico Autry, Trent Brown, Dameon Pierce, and Jimmie Ward.

While this site prepares for the biggest change in the past decade, the Houston Texans approach an extremely indicative game against the Vikings. The central storyline will be the Texans’ newly crafted offense under first-time offensive coordinator Nick Caley.

In today’s Rosterology 2.0, I update the projected 53-man roster Houston will take into their week one matchup with the Los Angeles Rams. With all the injuries, I have denoted players who Houston will likely place on injured reserve (IR) or Physically Unable to Play (PUP).

Bold are rookies, italicized are newly added players.

Last Four In

1. Arthur Maulet, CB
2. Justin Watson, WR
3. Nick Neimann, LB
4. Jakob Johnson, FB/TE

First Four Out

1. Dare Ogumbowale, RB
2. Jaylon Thomas, OL
3. Jimmie Ward, S
4. Jawhar Jordan, RB

Biggest Riser: Woody Marks

DeMeco Ryans refrained from remarking on Joe Mixon’s timeline to return after being placed on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list earlier this week. The murkiness around the situation created a seismic shift in the running back room landscape. The player most impacted is rookie Woody Marks, whose undefined role in the offense should be more clear without Joe Mixon in the room. Outside of Dameon Pierce, Houston rarely retains rookie running backs on their 53-man roster in their history, but Marks’ chances have gotten a whole lot better.

Biggest Faller: Christian Harris

Harris hasn’t participated in the first few days of Training Camp. He missed the first 14 games of the 2024 season and played sparingly in the playoffs.

Offense (24)

Quarterbacks (2 + 1 emergency QB)

C.J. Stroud, Davis Mills

CUT: Graham Mertz (emergency QB), Kedon Slovis

Analysis: Davis Mills continues to impress on offense. So much so that fans are calling for him to be traded for draft capital. I think that’s idiotic; all it would take is one hit to Stroud to tank the entire season without Mills in waiting.

The battle for the third QB is compelling; Slovis had made significant strides since last camp and looks cleaner than Mertz. Mertz should see significant playing time in his first game in the NFL, which will be the first game he has played since October 2024.

Running Backs (4)

Nick Chubb, Woody Marks, Dameon Pierce, Jakob Johnson

CUT: Dare Ogumbowale, J.J. Taylor, Jawhar Jordan, British Brooks

IR: Joe Mixon

Analysis: With Mixon’s health in question, Nick Chubb has assumed the starting role. Ultimately, this entire positional group is up for grabs. Arguably, Dare Ogumbowale deserves to make the team heading into the first preseason game, but I would prefer to add another player to the defense rather than on Ogumbowale.

Second-year RB Jawhar Jordan has exceeded expectations at camp, particularly in the run game. He appears to be the best on the ground while Woody Marks is the best in the receiving game.

The fullback position will be one of intrigue. Jakob has started training camp as an early riser and earns the starting spot at this point in a heated battle with British Brooks

Wide Receivers (6)

Nico Collins, Jayden Higgins, Jaylin Noel, Christian Kirk, Xavier Hutchinson, Justin Watson

CUT: John Metchie III, Braxton Berrios, Jared Wayne, Johnny Johnson III, Xavier Johnson, Daniel Jackson

IR: Tank Dell

Analysis: The final spot appears to be between Justin Watson, John Metchie III, and Braxton Berrios. Watson ran with the second team, while John Metchie suited up with the second and third teams. Berrios is by far the best punt returner, but is that enough to keep him on the roster?

I personally think Houston will trade Metchie soon for either draft or offensive line capital.

Tight Ends (3)

Dalton Schultz, Brevin Jordan, Cade Stover

CUT: Luke Lachey, Irv Smith Jr.

Analysis: Three weeks ago, I was distressfully concerned about Brevin Jordan’s health. It appears the athletic tight end is healthy and making plays. That’s a breath of fresh air for this position group. He presence takes the pressure off finding the right WR combination.

The rookie Lachey looked adequate, but would benefit from a year on practice squad to compete next season for a roster spot. He will be one to watch against the Vikings to see his transition to the NFL.

Offensive Lineman (9)

Tytus Howard, Cam Robinson, Laken Tomlinson, Juice Scruggs, Jarrett Patterson, Blake Fisher, Aireontae Ersery, Ed Ingram, Jake Andrews

CUT: Jaylon Thomas, Trent Brown, LaDarius Henderson, Zach Thomas, Eli Cox, Austin Deculus

Analysis: While the Texans offensive line appears to be coming together, it doesn’t appear to be any better than last year.

The first Rosterology noted to “look for Jake Andrews to compete for the starting center role” and that appeared to be the case down at NRG. He is the second biggest riser this training camp thus far.

Juice Scruggs played exclusively with the third stringers (yikes). More was written positively about Jaylon Thomas than Scruggs, which could mean Scruggs has fallen out of favor in this new offense. It’s too early to predict Scruggs to be cut, but after the first preseason game I will have more evidence.

DEFENSE (26)

Defensive Ends (5)

Will Anderson, Danielle Hunter, Dylan Horton, Derek Barnett, Darrell Taylor

CUT: Casey Toohill, Solomon Byrd

IR Denico Autry

Analysis: This group is growing more complicated. Autry and Barnett have yet to practice. Meanwhile, Dylan Horton and Darrell Taylor stepped up and grasped the backup roles.

DeMeco Ryans noted that Solomon Byrd made strides in the offseason. The 25-year old sophomore only saw the field once his rookie season. He is battling for a final roster spot in a deep but injured pool of players.

Defensive Tackles (5)

Tim Settle Jr., Sheldon Rankins, Mario Edwards Jr., Tommy Togai, Foley Fatukasi

CUT: Marlon Davidson, Kurt Hinish, Junior Tafuna, Haggai Ndubuisi

IR: Kyonte Hamilton

Analysis: A lot going on here so stick with me.

1. Fatukasi and Hinish are still sidelined, but Fatukasi makes the roster as the last addition with the anticipation that he will return to the roster soon.
2. A personal favorite Marlon Davidson was added along with international player Haggai Ndubuisi
3. Kyonte Hamilton suffered a gruesome injury

I had written that “I am hearing great things about seventh rounder Kyonte Hamilton” before his injury. Unfortunately, Hamilton won’t be suiting up this season and will spend the year on injured reserve.

Tommy Togai rounds out this group as a run-stopping DT who has held up well in training camp.

Linebackers (6)

Azeez Al-Shaair, Christian Harris, Henry To’oTo’o, E.J. Speed, Nick Niemann, Jake Hansen

CUT: Jamal Hill, K.C. Ossai, Jackson Woodard

Analysis: Nick Niemann has been rotating with the first stringers in three linebacker packages (albeit, rare). That news compelled him from being cut to on the roster. In his stead is second-year LB Jamal Hill.

I am holding out hope Harris can start the season. If not, Hill jumps back onto the 53. Don’t be surprised if this group only has five players come roster cutdown.

Cornerbacks (5)

Derek Stingley Jr., Kamari Lassiter, Jaylin Smith, Tremon Smith, Arthur Maulet

CUT: Damon Arnette, D’Angelo Ross

IR: Alijah Huzzie

Analysis: For how deep the secondary is, there is a cornerback spot wide open for someone to grab. Houston added Arthur Maulet right before training camp to compete for that role.

D’Angelo Ross once held the role of last CB on the roster, but he’s made far too many mistakes on both special teams and as a backup CB.

That leaves Damon Arnett to battle with Maulet for the final CB spot. Preseason will greatly indicate how this plays out.

Safeties (5)

Jalen Pitre, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Calen Bullock, Myles Bryant, M.J. Stewart

CUT: Russ Yeast

IR: Jaylen Reed

PUP: Jimmie Ward

Analysis: Myles Bryant seemed to be on the inside-looking-out. He excelled in the nickel corner spot, even outperforming Jalen Pitre. The defensive staff appreciated the flexibility he brought, and it wouldn’t have been a surprise if he found his way onto the roster again

Jaylen Reed’s injury appeared serious enough to land him on injured reserve, opening the door for M.J. Stewart’s return to the roster. Meanwhile, Jimmie Ward’s own injury and legal situation prevented him from securing a spot once again.

Special Teams (3)

Kicker: Ka’Imi Fairbairn

Punter: Tommy Townsend

Long Snapper: Austin Brinkman