The Houston Texans, sitting with a 3-1 record this preseason, are caught in a rock and hard place. After sitting starters in the preseason finale win over the Los Angeles Rams, it’s clear there’s an abunance of talent than in year’s past.
This is why trimming down the roster feels impossible. During three-year losing skid, the Texans were struggling to find starters. Now, they’ll cut a handful of names who likely won’t clear waivers to return to the practice since they’ll make another active roster.
Houston must cut its roster down from 90 players (well, 91 counting their International Player Pathway offensive tackle Kilian Zierer)to 53 by 4 PM EST on Tuesday. Names like wide receiver Xavier Hutchnsnon, linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips, and more now find themselves on the bubble waiting to hear their fate.
Some players, likereceiver John Metchie IIIand linebacker defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr., played themselves out of that category with a strong preseason. Metchie proved to be a consistent chain-mover with his six reception day against the New Giants last week. Edwards, a multi-purpose defensive lineman, might have been the most consistent defensive tackle in both practice and with the first-team defense.
Other players impressed and struggled at times, but what’s their status now that practice and come to a close?
Here, we play a game of “In or Out?” to figure out the fate of the 13 players likely closest to the edge of the 53-man roster. Who is in and who is out?
In: RB Cam Akers
Aug 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans running back Cam Akers (22) runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
No one knew what to expect from Akers when he signed at the start of training camp. He’s been a quality runner when healthy, but the former second-round pick has suffered two torn Achilles in four NFL seasons.
No one would notice his injury history based on his on-field play. Akers immediately thrived in Bobby Slowik’s outside zone scheme since it features the same styles as Los Angeles and Minnesota’s offense. He also seemed swift with his cuts, evading tacklers at the line of scrimmage for substantial first-down gains.
Akers might not be the first call off the bench come Week 1, but he’s earned his spot on the roster. Don’t be shocked heading into the midseason that Akers becomes the permanent RB No. 2 after a few breakout games.
In: RB Dameon Pierce
Aug 17, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (31) runs with the ball on a play during the second quarter against the New York Giants at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
If Akers was the biggest surprise of training camp, Peirce might take home the title of biggest disappointment. Let’s go back and look at his numbers through two outings after a woeful sophom*ore slump:
- Eight carries, nine yards, zero TDs, zero first-downs
For most teams, that’s enough to pivot elsewhere. For the Texans, it seems like Pierce has made enough strides in practice to warrant a roster spot now behind a fully healthy offensive line.
“I’ve seen enough of Dameon in practice,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said of Pierce not playing in Saturday’s game.
Pierce might not be the 1,000-yard runner Texans fans expected to see after a promising rookie season. He might be a lost cause in Slowik’s outside-zone attack. Houston, however, feels like Pierce could provide something as the No. 2 back for now, so regardless of how the fans react, it seems like he’s sticking around through Week 1.
Out: WR Robert Woods
Aug 9, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Robert Woods (2) gains yardage as Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Kalon Barnes (31) defends during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-USA TODAY Sports
This move is more so due to contract talks. Woods has played well enough to earn a roster spot, especially with his performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The question is: where does Woods fit? Houston signed him to a two-year deal worth $15 millionwith the intention of him starting. That’s not happening with Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins and Tank Dell all ranking ahead of him on the depth chart. And teams would love a veteran with proven experience in formations to better their overall receiver room.
Woods might not be cut. He could be traded for a late-round pick while the Texans eat part of his salary to get $5 million back on the books. Either way, his days are numbered.
In: WR Xavier Hutchinson
Aug 1, 2024; Canton, Ohio, USA; Houston Texans running back Cam Akers (22) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson (19) against the Chicago Bears during the second quarter at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Hutch was clutch in the preseason games. He led the Texans in receptions (11), receiving yards (114) and total offensive snaps (143) in what ended up being a promising preseason. If he had found his way into the end zone, there likely would be no debate on his status.
Unlike Woods and Noah Brown, Hutchinson has three years left on the deal. He also has more upside entering Year 2. Everyone knows what to expect from Brown and Woods. Hutchinson? He’s an overall unknown, which might be scary should he break out during the regular season.
Out: WR Ben Skowronek
Aug 1, 2024; Canton, Ohio, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Ben Skowronek (front) makes a catch in front of Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Jones (21) during the first quarter at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Receiver was the one position a player couldn’t afford to slip up at in practice. Skowronek, who missed over a week of practice with a leg injury, fell victim to that unyielding heartbreak.
The Texans traded a seventh-round pick for the former Rams special teams captain so they wouldn’t have hope he’d fall to them in waivers. He’s been above average in his area of expertise, but has massively struggled in the receiver aspect.
Hutchison, Steven Sims and Brown all can do what Skowronek can on kickoffs and punts. They also are more fluid pass-catchers than him, so it feels like his time in Houston is about to cease.
Out: RB Jawhar Jordan
Aug 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans running back Jawhar Jordan (42) rushes against the Los Angeles Rams in the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Jordan did everything possible to stand out in training camp. He made multiple highlight grabs in practice as a third-down receiver. He finished averaging over 4.0 yards per attempt in the preseason and led the Texans in first down-rushing conversions.
The problem is that Houston doesn’t plan on parting ways with Pierce — or at least it won’t release him for anything in return. Mixon, who signed a three-year extension when he touched down at NRG Stadium, is the lead back. Akers was one of the biggest surprises of the preseason and has experience playing in Slowik’s style of offense.
The deck is stacked against Jordan heading into Tuesday. Perhaps Houston could stow the former sixth-round pick away on the practice squad but that’s a tall ask since there’s at least one team in the state needing quality running back depth.
Out: Dieter Eiselen
Jul 27, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans guard Dieter Eiselen (60) during training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Let’s keep this short and sweet, shall we? Eiselen never stood out in practice as a run blocker. He’s limited to only playing guard, unlike Kendrick Green and Jarrett Patterson. He’s also one of the older offensive linemen fighting for a roster spot.
Maybe Houston brings him back to the practice squad for depth purposes, but with three players all outperforming him in the preseason finale, it feels like his time in Houston is over.
In: OL Jarrett Patterson
May 12, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans outside linebacker Jarrett Patterson (68) stretches during rookie camp at the Methodist practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Take everything mentioned about Eiselen and flip it for Patterson. He has experience playing both guard roles and center. He has looked better as a run blocker with the second-team offense. Most of all, Patterson has started for the Texans in the past, so there’s a baseline of what to expect.
Juice Scruggs and Kenyon Green enter the year as starters, but any trip up could lead to Patterson taking first-team reps. He’s done enough to warrant playing time, let alone a roster spot.
In LB Jamal Hill
Jul 27, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans linebacker Jamal Hill (56) walks on the field at Houston Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
During Monday’s press conference, Ryans mentioned that several players would make the roster, given the value of their special teams’ skills. Right now, this is where Hill has the lead over players like Max Tooley, Del’Shawn Phillips, Jacob Phillips and Tarique Barnes. He’s second in special teams tackles and has seen the third-most special teams snaps.
Hill is still learning how to play linebacker after transitioning from safety during his final year at Oregon. He’s not ready to start Week 1, but the speed and vision on open-field tackling give him a nod to the active roster. It also doesn’t hurt that he’s entering Year 1 of a four-year team-friendly contract.
Out: LB Del'Shawn Phillips
Aug 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Dresser Winn (4) slides against Houston Texans linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips (13) in the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
It felt like Phillips never stood out. Jake Hansen made plays with the third-team defense. Tooley looked promising as a special teams ace. The same goes for Neville Hewitt, who wasn’t in jeopardy of losing a roster spot after leading the Texans in special teams tackles last season.
While the play style of linebacker remains in question, special teams have been promising. If one can’t carve out a role there, they likely are a lock to make the roster. Phillips never made that memorable moment happen, so it’s hard to justify a roster spot.
Out: DB Lonnie Johnson Jr.
Aug 1, 2024; Canton, Ohio, USA; Houston Texans cornerback Lonnie Johnson Jr. (32) walks back to the locker room following an injury during the third quarter against the Chicago Bears at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
The Texans really only need four safeties since the position is interchangeable in Ryans’ defensive front. Jalen Pitre, Jimmie Ward, Eric Murray and third-round pick Calen Bullock have locked up those spots.
Could Johnson be a favorite to return to the practice squad? Perhaps. Could another team see more value in him as a backup? More than likely.
Out: CB CJ Henderson
(Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports)
There simply wasn’t a moment where Henderson caught fire. Even in practice days would go from him looking as if he could start to nearly being cut on the spot. And he also dealt with multiple injuries that sidelined him sporadically throughout the preseason.
When healthy, fellow former first-round Jeff Okudah is a more fluid option for Ryans’ defensive scheme. It makes sense for him to get the nod if he’s cleared to play in Week 1.
In: CB Kris Boyd
Aug 9, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jonathan Ward (35) runs the ball as Houston Texans cornerback Kris Boyd (17) defends during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Boyd isn’t expected to begin the year on the injured reserve after suffering a knee injury in Saturday’s preseason finale. If that’s the case, he’ll also make the active roster come Week 1. Albeit questionable in coverage, Boyd has become a Frank Ross favorite on special teams.
That’ll carry weight into the determining outlook for the season since Ryans is looking for plug-and-play names to factor in on gamedays. Boyd will be that type of talent.
