HOUSTON TEXANS NEWS

Ryan Izzo - Plays 17 snaps against Tampa Izzo (undisclosed) logged 17 snaps in Saturday's preseason loss to the Buccaneers, Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Izzo left the Texans' preseason opener against the Packers with an undisclosed injury and there hadn't been any news on him since. However, his ability to suit up Saturday confirms he's clear of whatever issue he was dealing with. If he makes the final roster, expectations for Izzo should be tempered heading into the season, considering he slots in third on the tight-end depth chart for a team expected to struggle offensively throughout the campaign.

AUGUST 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Deshaun Watson - Could be healthy scratch all year The Texans are prepared to have Watson on their 53-man roster and inactive every week, independent NFL journalist Aaron Wilson reports.

Impact Watson has a standing trade request, and with no deal imminent as he faces 22 civil lawsuits for allegations of sexual assault, the Texans will keep him on the roster but away from the field. The team tried to talk him into sticking around earlier in the offseason, but at this point it may be resigned to trading him -- be it next week or next offseason.

AUGUST 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Uncertainty abounds in AFC South as Titans attempt to repeat

There’s more uncertainty than usual surrounding the AFC South and it extends beyond Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson

AUGUST 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dolphins' Brian Flores wants players to 'block out' Deshaun Watson trade 'speculation' Dolphins coach Brian Flores has tried to tune out rumors of his team's involvement in a potential trade for Texans quarterback Deshaun Watso...

AUGUST 30, 2021 • USATODAY.COM

Dolphins coach: Team wants players with 'high character'

As speculation swirls regarding the Miami Dolphins’ interest in embattled quarterback Deshaun Watson, coach Brian Flores says the team wants players with “high character.”

AUGUST 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fantasy Football 2021: Houston Texans Preview Brandin Cooks will likely outperform his current Average Draft Position

AUGUST 30, 2021 • SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.COM

Pharaoh Brown - Three targets in loss Brown did not catch any of his three targets in Saturday's 23-16 loss to the Buccaneers in preseason Week 3.

Impact Brown ends the preseason without a catch, but that will not matter when it comes time to finalize the 53-man roster. He's the best blocker in the tight end room, and Brown could be a weekly starter for a team looking to establish a run identity.

AUGUST 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Jordan Akins - Makes lone preseason catch Akins caught one of two targets for nine yards in Saturday's 23-16 loss to Tampa Bay in preseason Week 3.

Impact Akins, who had just one catch during preseason action, should be considered the Texans' top pass-catching tight end, ahead of 2021 fifth-round draft pick Brevin Jordan. The question remains, however, are pass-catching tight ends valuable for an offense that will attempt to run the ball more than it did in 2020. Given that Houston is not expected to be competitive this season, thereby playing from behind, Akins should generate fantasy interest.

AUGUST 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Brevin Jordan - One catch in preseason loss Jordan caught one of three targets for 11 yards in Saturday's 23-16 preseason loss to the Buccaneers in preseason Week 3.

Impact Jordan, a 2021 fifth-round draft pick, caught three of eight targets during the preseason, making one catch in all three games. He and Jordan Akins are considered the pass-catching tight ends with YAC potential and subpar blocking. The Texans are expected to be a run-first team, but they may not be competitive enough to ground-and-pound four quarters a game. That would lead to more pass attempts and targets for guys like Jordan and Akins.

AUGUST 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Alex Erickson - Hauls in two passes Erickson caught two of three targets for 25 yards in Saturday's 23-16 loss to the Buccaneers in preseason Week 3.

Impact Erickson, primarily a slot receiver, had a pair of grabs in each of the final two preseason games. The former Bengal played a significant amount of snaps with projected starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor during camp and in preseason games. That was largely possible due to Anthony Miller, also primarily a slot receiver, missing time the last two weeks due to a shoulder injury. Erickson currently sits outside most 53-man roster projections, but he could be brought back if Houston rosters Miller then places him on injured reserve.

AUGUST 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Chris Moore - Leads in receiving yards Moore caught two of five targets for a team-high 40 yards in Saturday's 23-16 loss to Tampa Bay in preseason Week 3.

Impact Moore's one of several depth guys that aren't expected to make the team; however, the Texans do have a couple of injured wideouts that could be rostered then placed on injured reserve. That would allow the Texans to bring Moore and/or Alex Erickson back to the fold, while reserving the right to bring back the injured wideouts later in the season. Moore, who spent the last five seasons with the Ravens, has history with head coach David Culley.

AUGUST 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Jordan Veasy - Catches TD Veasy caught three of four targets for 21 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 23-16 loss to Tampa Bay in preseason Week 3.

Impact Veasy caught the second of Davis Mills' touchdown passes, making a back-shoulder catch on a well-thrown ball by the rookie. There's little chance Veasy makes the 53-man roster.

AUGUST 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Scottie Phillips - Paces backs in preseason loss Phillips rushed eight times for a team-high 73 yards in Saturday's 23-16 loss to the Buccaneers in preseason Week 3.

Impact Phillips finished the preseason as Houston's leading rusher, but it's probably not enough to unseat one of the four veteran backs ahead of him on the depth chart. Of the four, Rex Burkhead's spot is least secure, but the Texans might keep him and look to trade the 31-year-old to a team that needs a veteran back.

AUGUST 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Davis Mills - Uneven against Tampa Bay Mills completed 10 of 27 passes for 106 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions in Saturday's 23-16 loss to Tampa Bay in preseason Week 3.

Impact Mills' two-TD/three-pick night was part of a strange game in which Houston rushed for more than 200 yards, forced three turnovers and still lost. The rookie quarterback's uneven effort is emblematic of his entire preseason: some good, some bad and not enough to be a starter come Week 1 of the regular season. He's expected to get a chance down the road, but Mills should back up Tyrod Taylor when the Texans host the Jaguars in two weeks.

AUGUST 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Jets acquire edge rusher Lawson from Texans Edge rusher Shaq Lawson was acquired by the Jets from the Houston Texans on Sunday for a sixth-round pick in next year’s NFL draft, accordin...

AUGUST 30, 2021 • WASHINGTONTIMES.COM

Sunday's NFL: Jets acquire edge rusher Shaq Lawson from Texans The New York Jets are replacing one sack-happy Lawson with another.

AUGUST 29, 2021 • DETROITNEWS.COM

Jets acquire edge rusher Shaq Lawson from Texans

The New York Jets are replacing one sack-happy Lawson with another.

AUGUST 29, 2021 • FOXNEWS.COM

AP source: Jets acquire edge rusher Shaq Lawson from Texans

A person with direct knowledge of the deal says the New York Jets have acquired edge rusher Shaq Lawson from the Houston Texans for a sixth-round pick in next year’s NFL draft

AUGUST 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Andre Roberts - Dealing with bruised knee Roberts has been absent from practice as he rehabs from a bruised knee, independent NFL journalist Aaron Wilson reports.

Impact Roberts was held out of all the Texans' preseason contests with an unknown injury, which has now been disclosed as a bruised knee. Despite his inactivity, there is no concern that he won't be ready for Week 1. The 33-year-old return specialist has amassed 200-plus punt-return yards in five straight seasons.

AUGUST 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Texans' trade candidates before 53-man roster cutdown The preseason is over and the Houston Texans have to get to 53 men on their roster by Aug. 31. Here are some players who made be on the trad...

AUGUST 29, 2021 • USATODAY.COM

Lessons Learned in the Preseason ' Harris' Hits Houston Texans Team Analyst John Harris shares his notes from the Texans final preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

AUGUST 29, 2021 • HOUSTONTEXANS.COM

Takeaways Come in Bunches Again for Texans  The Texans finished the preseason slate with 10 takeaways in three games.

AUGUST 29, 2021 • HOUSTONTEXANS.COM

Mark Ingram II - Leads backfield in preseason finale Ingram carried the ball 11 times for 44 yards in Saturday's preseason game against Tampa Bay. He also recorded one catch for three yards.

Impact Ingram entered the game on the team's second possession and logged six of his 11 carries. His performance was largely unremarkable, though he did manage a few chunk gains of 11, six and seven yards during the second quarter. Ingram figures to play a role in the team's running back picture in Week 1 against Jacksonville, though it's unclear how work will be divided between him, Phillip Lindsay and David Johnson.

AUGUST 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Phillip Lindsay - Finds little room Lindsay carried the ball six times for 17 yards in Saturday's preseason game against Tampa Bay.

Impact Lindsay took the field and received a carry on the team's first offensive play of the game. He worked in with both Mark Ingram and David Johnson on subsequent possessions, but he couldn't get much going on the ground. There has been speculation that Lindsay could serve as the team's lead back in Week 1 against Jacksonville, though how the work out of the backfield will actually be divided remains unclear.

AUGUST 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

David Johnson - Provides explosive play Johnson carried the ball four times for 30 yards in Saturday's preseason game against Tampa Bay.

Impact Johnson entered the game on the team's second possession behind Phillip Lindsay. He shared the drive with Mark Ingram, though Johnson proved to be more explosive by ripping of a 21-yard gain. Johnson was listed third on the team's depth chart during training camp, and some beat reports have suggested he may serve as the team's third-down back. However, Houston has among the most fluid roles among skill-position players around the league. That leaves it somewhat unclear exactly what type of usage Johnson will see in Week 1 vs. Jacksonville.

AUGUST 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE