Top 10 takeaways from the Texans' initial 53-man roster (2024)

Aug 17, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (24) celebrates after an interception during the first quarter against the New York Giants at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Like it is every season, players shouldn’t get too comfortable yet. The waiver wire claims among all 32 NFL teams hasn’t happened yet, meaning if a recently cut name lands in Nick Caserio’s lap, he’s going to bring him in. If a player is added, someone has to be removed.

Several roster spots were made because of internal moves on the injured reserve. Houston likes to keep six linebackers and with Chrisitan Harris missing four games, that made room for either Del’Shawn Phillips or rookie Jamal Hill. Kurt Hinish will miss four games, leading to perhaps Khalil Daivs making the active roster.

These players basically have an extra four games to show why they’re worth holding onto heading into October. Other players could be shown the door depending on who arrives on Tuesday.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JANUARY 06: Andrew Beck #47 of the Houston Texans reacts after the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 06, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Christian Harris might miss four games, but he’s considered an upgrade over the current depth behind him. That might not be the case at receiver or fullback, which is why the Texans elected to part ways with names like Andrew Beck and Noah Brown.

Beck was the starting fullback last season and scored a touchdown on special teams. He missed multiple weeks of practice with a lower-body injury, thus allowing Cade Stover and Brevin Jordan to work as H-backs. They showed enough to give Houston a sense of relief if they line up in I-formation or with an offset option in the backfield.

Brown, who re-signed a one-year deal this offseason, helped Houston make the playoffs in 2023. Without his back-to-back 150-plus outings in November, Houston sitting below .500 and out of the postseason convesation. But Brown also missed seven games, including the AFC Divisional Round matchup against the Ravens. He missed all of OTAs, returned for the start of training camp and almost immediately suffered another injury.

Tight end Teagan Quitorinano also was waived after being injured for the third time in three years. He’s a talented run blocker, but constantly has found himself way from the football field and in the medical tent rather than in the huddle.

After being carted off in the Hall of Fame game, plus the emergence of rookie Cade Stover, the writing was on the wall.

Aug 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive tackle Marcus Harris (59) applies defensive pressure against Los Angeles Rams quarterback Dresser Winn (4) during the third quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Christian Harris isn’t the only Harris not showing up Week 1 at Lucas Oil Stadium. Seventh-round rookie Marcus Harris was released, though the Texans plan to bring him back to the practice squad if he clears waivers.

That’s the keyword: if. Houston is risking losing a talented player with untapped upside to another team in favor of a veteran. Marcus Harris showed during the final two preseason games that he’s oozing with potential and could eventually crack his way into the rotation.

Teams are always looking for depth on either side of the line and the former Tiger put enough on tape to let an opponent pounce at the chance to mold him into a three-down wrecking machine. If any, this was the one move fans could sour on if the late Day 3 pick becomes a starter in time elsewhere as a bargain find on waivers.

Aug 17, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Johnny Johnson III (88) celebrates a touchdown by running back British Brooks (44) against the New York Giants in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

While Jawhar Jordan was the rookie running back most fans were paying attention to this preseason, Brooks is the one to make the active roster following his two-touchdown outing against the New York Giants. Why? Well, given his frame, bruising running style and ability to win in pass protection, the former North Carolina might have a role on the roster.

Fullback. Yes, you read that right.

The Texans elected to cut ties with Beck, TroyHairston and Nick Bawden in favor of a fifth running back. Like the trio, Brooks offers value on special teams and has shown the capabilities to tackle. But perhaps the most exciting play of his preseason was when he pancake-blocked a Rams defensive line in the second quarter of last week’s preseason victory.

Second-team offensive linemen have trouble delivering that type of hit and Brooks made it look easy. He could easily find his way on the field as an extra blocker for red zone scoring drives. Brooks might end up coming on certain passing plays just to keep Stroud upright.

The Texans have a role for him moving forward. It’s unknown now, but that’s a good thing. Remember Vonta Leach, the Texans’ fullback who transitioned from running back following his senior season at East Carolina?

Imagine the power of Leach in a compacted version that still hits like a battering ram and full speed. That’s Brooks.

Aug 17, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver John Metchie III (8) celebrates with wide receiver Tank Dell (3) after a touchdown during the second quarter against the New York Giants at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Trimming the receiver room to six players was always going to be a hard ask for the Texans. It was, which is why seven currently are on the roster.

The top offseason storyline was built around the idea that six receivers would match last season’s total and make the final 53-man roster. That wasn’t the case, though Brown was cut after dealing with constant injuries that sidelined him for offseason workouts.

John Metchie III, Robert Woods, Xavier Hutchinson and Steven Sims each showed enough to earn a spot behind Stefon Diggs, Tank Dell and Nico Collins. Hutchison, a former sixth-round pick and All-Big 12 target at Iowa State, gained the most ground after leading the team in receptions (14) and receiving yards (114) this preseason.

Metchie, a former second-round pick who missed his entire rookie season after being diagnosed with cancer, looked like the version of himself coming out of Alabama back in 2022. He was the most polished route-runner and finished with 10 catches for 100 yards and a touchdown.

Woods is a veteran who stayed healthy and remained a reliable target for the second-team offense. Sims has special teams value and serves as the primary return man, which could be an essential asset to any contending team under the new rules.

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

When Pierce didn’t play in Saturday’s victory over the Rams, it signaled one of two things. He was either a lock to make the active roster or the Texans were fielding calls to move him before Tuesday’s 3 p.m. deadline.

Let’s wait until next week to say all trade talks have ceased, but Pierce was never in jeopardy of being cut. Ryans confirmed he was safe when asked on Saturday why he didn’t play.

“I didn’t play Dameon because I’ve seen enough from Dameon in practice and everything,” Ryans said. “I’ve had a good look atDameon.”

Peirce, who at one point was thought be to the leading rusher for the Texans’ future, could be competing for reps with another running back who also thought at one point to be the franchise bell-cow back. Akers was perhaps the surprise of the AFC preseason after gliding past defenders consistently in games.

Even if Akers wasn’t coming off two torn Achilles tendons in three years, his preseason productivity would have landed him on any roster. The former top running back recruit out of Mississippi finished with 114 rushing yards on 23 carries, plus eight catches for 61 yards with a touchdown.

That’s 4.9 yards per average run, which would have led Houston by a considerable amount in 2023.
“I feel like I showed people I’m still who I am,” Akers said following Saturday’s game. “I haven’t lost a step, so we’ll just see how it goes.”

Joe Mixon is the starter after inking a three-year deal this offseason following a trade from Cincinnati. His backup? Pierce enters game week as the favorite but Akers, who played in similar offenses under the Rams and Vikings, looks like a better fit.

That’s the plan heading into Week 1, but plenty can change before kickoff on the depth chart.

Aug 9, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Houston Texans defensive tackle Kurt Hinish (93) reacts to the crowd after defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Houston won 20-12. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Eight total defensive linemen appeared on the initial depth chart, including four at defensive tackle. Nine would have likely been on the docket, but Denico Autry is out for the first six games while serving asuspension for performance-enhancing drugs.

Hinish is on the short-term injured reserve and will miss four games. Tim Settle Jr. made the active roster, but he hasn’t practiced in two weeks and could miss a game or two depending on the severity of his calf injury.

The bottom line: Houston is probably not done at defensive tackle.

The hopeful option would be for Marcus Harris to clear waivers, land on the practice squad and be elevated to the active roster for three games. Perhaps he ends up impressing and pushing another player off the 53-man squad.

Should Harris land elsewhere, here are several names that could land in Houston after being waived Tuesday afternoon:

• Arizona Cardinals Myles Murphy
• Chicago Bears Byron Cowart
• Cleveland Browns Siaki Ika
• Philadelphia Eagles Gabe Hall
• Minnesota Vikings Jaquelin Roy

Dec 24, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Noah Brown (85) makes a catch against the Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz (86) in the second half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

This could have gone several ways, but the Texans aren’t AFC South champions with Brown.

No, really, Houston doesn’t win at least two games with the former Dallas Cowboys standout and one could argue a third against the Tennessee Titans.

For two weeks, the Brown looks unstoppable. He caught six passes for 153 yards and a touchdown in a come-from-behind win against the Buccaneers in Week 9. A week later, Brown finished with career-highs in catches (7) and receiving yards (172), including a 22-yard grab from C.J. Stroud in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter to set up the game-winning field goal from Matt Ammendola.

And do you remember that game against Tennessee in Nashville when the Titans wore the Oilers uniforms just as a slap in the face to the city they abandoned? Who was the leading receiver in that game? Who caught the 3-yard touchdown pass from Case Keenum with three minutes left to tie the game?

Brown couldn’t stay healthy. That was his downfall. His upside was he could deliver as the unsung hero in the dire moments while providing depth as arguably the best receiver outside of the NFL’s top trio.

He won’t have to wait long to land elsewhere. It’s safe to assume he’ll be starting opposite another No. 1 target no later than Week 2.

Aug 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Xavier Smith (19) runs after the catch against the Houston Texans cornerback Myles Bryant (30) in the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Brooks making the roster over Jordan felt far-fetched, but the former sixth-round pick was waived-injured instead of straight-up released. The undrafted Brooks could also be the team’s new h-back or perhaps the next goal-line runner.

Myles Bryant makes the roster as a positive surprise. The Texans need a slot defender depth behind Jalen Pitre and someone who can flourish on speical teams. Bryant fits that mold and consistently showed up in Saturday’s win over the Rams.

If the Texans elect to keep Pitre back and need a starting nickel, Bryant’s played in a similar defensive mold during his time with the Patriots. He’s also a tackling machine, racking up nine stops against the Rams, including two for a loss.

Think of Bryant as the new Desmond King, but instead of being effective on punt returns, he’ll add value as a gunner. While in New England, he learned under one of the all-time special teams greats Matthew Slater.

Everyone has a role. Bryant will soon find his in Houston.

Aug 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (18) at the line of scrimmage during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

While Keenum won’t take snaps in 2024, the Texans are sending him out with honor.

Keenum was placed on the non-active injured reserve Tuesday with a foot injury, thus ending his 2024 season. He started in Saturday’s game against Los Angeles, but left early after being stepped on in the second quarter. Keenum’s expected to miss several months, but he could have returned late in the year for a postseason push.

The Texans could have cut him and saved an IR spot for someone later in the season, but the 36-year-old is a beloved teammate. He’s a beloved Houstonian who set NCAA records for the Cougars at The Rob before becoming one of the league’s top journeymen for 12 years at the pro level.

Saturday could have been his last time throwing a ball in a Texans uniform after three stints with the team. It could be the last time he steps foot on a field in a helmet and shoulder pads.

It won’t be the last time that Keenum is part of a team. On the IR, he can still attend meetings. He can still be at practice. He can still stand on the sidelines on gamedays and be an extra voice and mentor for Stroud and Davis Mills.

Keenum, who last season kept Houston’s playoff hopes alive with a win in Tennessee, could be getting his coaching career started a bit early. Jerrod Johnson will be a hot name for an OC job next offseason, meaning the quarterback coach position could be up for grabs.

Remember in Major League 2 when Jake Taylor was asked to serve as bench coach? That was Lou Brown’s ultimate sign of respect toward the longtime catcher.

It’s the same respect from Caserio and Ryans toward a fan favorite.