AUGUST 18, 2021 • HOUSTONTEXANS.COM
HOUSTON TEXANS 7-5 · 1ST IN AFC SOUTH
7-5 · 1ST IN AFC SOUTH
Next Game at Jaguars · Sun 6:00PM
HOU -5.0 TOTAL 43
Transcripts: 8-17-2021 Training Camp Press Conferences Transcripts from press conferences with David Culley and Texans Players at Houston Texans Training Camp presented by Xfinity.
Training Camp 8/17/21: Notes and Quotes Check out what was seen and heard on Day 16 of Texans Training Camp presented by Xfinity.
AUGUST 17, 2021 • HOUSTONTEXANS.COM
Keyshawn Johnson says Texans QB Tyrod Taylor has just had 'tough breaks' ESPN analyst Keyshawn Johnson says that Houston Texans quarterback Tyrod Taylor has just had some “tough breaks” in the past few seasons.
AUGUST 17, 2021 • USATODAY.COM
Heating Up in Houston ' Harris' Hits Houston Texans Team Analyst John Harris shares his notes from Tuesday's practice.
AUGUST 17, 2021 • HOUSTONTEXANS.COM
12 Questions with OL Charlie Heck ' Drew's Dozen Drew Dougherty of Texans TV talked with offensive lineman Charlie Heck about Top Gun, pancakes and much more.
AUGUST 17, 2021 • HOUSTONTEXANS.COM
5 takeaways from Texans training camp Day 18 The Houston Texans held their 18th day of training camp. Here are five takeaways the 16th practice of training camp.
AUGUST 17, 2021 • USATODAY.COM
Charles Omenihu - Resumes practicing Omenihu (hip) returned to practice Monday, NFL reporter Aaron Wilson reports.
Impact Omenihu spent roughly five days sidelined from practice, but he has now managed to return without any setbacks. After having missed last weekend's preseason game against the Packers, Omenihu could be ready to suit up by the time Saturday's exhibition match against the Cowboys rolls around.
AUGUST 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Mark Ingram II - Looks safe for roster spot Ingram's job appears secure, according to Aaron Reiss of The Athletic.
Impact The thinking is that Ingram would've played in the preseason opener if he were battling for a roster spot. Instead, he was a healthy scratch, while Phillip Lindsay got the start and David Johnson was limited to a third-down role. This could end up being a three-man committee, as the Texans don't have much financial incentive to trade/release Johnson even if the new coaching staff doesn't view him as a viable lead ballcarrier. The team's initial preseason depth chart lists both Ingram and Lindsay as starters, with Johnson a second-stringer.
AUGUST 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Phillip Lindsay - Could lead team in carries Lindsay should have a spot on the Week 1 roster and may even lead the Texans in carries this year, according to Aaron Reiss of The Athletic.
Impact David Johnson was Houston's lead back last year, but it was Lindsay who got the start in the preseason opener and Mark Ingram who had the honor of being rested. Handling early downs with the first-team offense, Lindsay took five carries for 14 yards, ceding only third downs to Johnson. Furthermore, the Texans list two tailbacks as starters -- Ingram and Lindsay -- on their initial preseason depth chart, while Johnson was placed with the second unit. None of this means Johnson is buried, but it is clear the Houston backfield will be tricky to decipher before the start of the regular season. The team's next preseason contest is Saturday in Dallas.
AUGUST 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Texans coach David Culley: QB Deshaun Watson not injured, but 'does what we ask him to do' Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson has been a sporadic presence at the team's practices, but coach David Culley said it's not injury...
AUGUST 17, 2021 • USATODAY.COM
Bradley Roby - Brought off COVID list The Texans activated Roby (undisclosed) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday.
Impact Roby can rejoin teammates at practice now that he's fully cleared the league's COVID-19 protocols, but because he still has one remaining contest to serve of his six-game suspension, the veteran cornerback will still need to miss Week 1. He landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list after returning a positive test, per NFL reporter Aaron Wilson. The 2014 first-round pick is expected to start for the Texans when available.
AUGUST 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Deshaun Watson - Absent again Watson didn't practice Tuesday and isn't expected to travel with the Texans for Saturday's preseason game in Dallas, ESPN's Sarah Barshop reports.
Impact Coach David Culley attributed Watson's absence from Monday's practice to a schedule change, but the Texans got back to their routine on Tuesday and the quarterback still wasn't on the field. Between his trade request and legal situation, Watson may not have a future in Houston and doesn't seem to be part of the plan for Week 1. He's been in and out of practice throughout training camp, doing very little even when he's technically been a participant.
AUGUST 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Jordan Akins - Returns to practice Akins (leg) returned to practice Monday, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.
Impact Akins missed four practices and the preseason opener while dealing with muscle tightness in his leg. He's a clear favorite to lead Houston tight ends in targets this season, but he may not have the blocking chops for a three-down role, which in turn would cap his volume ceiling as a pass catcher. The Texans also have blockers Pharaoh Brown and Ryan Izzo competing for TE snaps, in addition to the more receiving-focused guys like Akins, Kahale Warring, Anthony Auclair and rookie fifth-round pick Brevin Jordan.
AUGUST 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
David Johnson - Usage suggests third-down back Johnson could be the Texans' third-down back, Aaron Reiss of The Athletic reports.
Impact It would be foolish to make any definitive statements about the regular season based on a team's first preseason game, but when the first team offense was on the field in Saturday's preseason opener, Johnson entered the game on third downs. His lone carry was a third-down run in the red zone. The early downs were handled by Phillip Lindsay. And none of this factors in the potential role of Mark Ingram, who did not play Saturday, which is treatment befitting a starting running back and suggests a role for him when the season starts. Johnson's role may not be so narrow as seen in Preseason Week 1, but he's not expected to carry the same load he did in 2020. Prior to Johnson's Week 9 concussion, he and Dallas' Ezekiel Elliott led the position in offensive snap percentage.
AUGUST 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Deshaun Watson - Doesn't practice Monday Watson did not participate in Monday's practice, Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Impact The daily Watson watch continues. The quarterback, who did not travel with the team for Saturday's preseason opener in Green Bay, received treatment for his ankle and calf while attending team meetings indoors. He had been a presence for all four practices last week after a weeklong absence. "Nothing has changed from last week," Texans coach David Culley said Monday morning. "We're not going to talk about what we do in personnel each day in practice." The Texans are expected to trade Watson, an event many believe hinges upon the pending legal matters facing the quarterback.
AUGUST 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Anatomy of an interception: Texans CB Tremon Smith talks about interception against the Packers Houston Texans cornerback Tremon Smith talks about his interception against the Green Bay Packers in the first game of the preseason.
AUGUST 17, 2021 • USATODAY.COM
Back to Work ' Harris' Hits Houston Texans Team Analyst John Harris shares his notes from Day 15 of Training Camp presented by Xfinity.
AUGUST 17, 2021 • HOUSTONTEXANS.COM
Jordan Akins - Nearing return Akins (leg) is close to returning to practice, NFL reporter Aaron Wilson reports.
Impact Akins has been dealing with muscle tightness in his leg since Wednesday, and he's been held out of practice since then. The tight end also missed Saturday's preseason opener against Green Bay. Coach David Culley is optimistic that the 29-year-old's injury isn't serious, but a better idea of his status likely will be revealed once he's able to increase his activity level.
AUGUST 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Transcripts: 8-16-2021 Training Camp Press Conferences Transcripts from press conferences with David Culley and Texans Players at Houston Texans Training Camp presented by Xfinity.
AUGUST 17, 2021 • HOUSTONTEXANS.COM
Training Camp 8/16/21: Notes and Quotes Check out what was seen and heard on Day 15 of Texans Training Camp presented by Xfinity.
AUGUST 17, 2021 • HOUSTONTEXANS.COM
12 Questions with DL Roy Lopez ' Drew's Dozen Defensive lineman Roy Lopez huddled with Drew Dougherty of Texans TV. The two talked about his Saturday night sack, the ensuing dance, his f...
AUGUST 17, 2021 • HOUSTONTEXANS.COM
Preseason opener thoughts, RB competition & more ' Dear Drew Drew Dougherty of Texans TV answered fan questions about Mark Ingram, Scottie Phillips and a lot more.
AUGUST 16, 2021 • HOUSTONTEXANS.COM
Anthony Miller - May return Week 1 or 2 An MRI revealed no structural damage in Miller's dislocated right shoulder, which could allow the wide receiver to return as soon as Week 1 or 2, NFL reporter Aaron Wilson reports.
Impact The injury was described as "slight" by coach David Culley following Saturday's preseason win at Green Bay, but his tone was a bit different Monday afternoon, when he told Aaron Reiss of The Athletic that he was "hopeful" Miller will play again this season. The prognosis finally has some clarity following the MRI, but it appears Miller is set for an absence of some sort to begin the coming campaign. In any case, Keke Coutee has a clearer path to be the Texans' top option in the slot out of the gate.
AUGUST 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Texans cut running back Dontrell Hilliard Dontrell Hilliard was waived by the Texans with an injury designation.
AUGUST 16, 2021 • HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM
Giants trade 2023 sixth-round pick to Houston for Texans CB Keion Crossen The Giants swung a deal on Monday for a corner and special teamer that Joe Judge knows and seemingly trusts.
AUGUST 16, 2021 • MCALL.COM
