The final chance for anyone on the bubble to make the Houston Texans' roster is officially over.
Several players for the Texans impressed on Friday night in the preseason loss to the Carolina Panthers, including about a dozen fighting for roster spots.
"What I'm extremely proud of is the effort. A lot of guys are flying around, making plays," Texans coach DeMeco Ryanssaid Friday evening at Bank of America Stadium. "George [Odum] was one guy. Man, he had elite energy the entire game. He was talking the entire game, and he made a play on an interception and made some good tackles. So, a lot of guys can help themselves from the work that they put out there tonight."
With training camp over, the Texans have until 5 p.m. Sunday to get the roster down
from 90 to 53. Now it's time for Texan Wire's final 53-man roster prediction.
Yes, things can and probably will happen after cutdown day, especially looking at players who could be on the move around the league, but this is who should be considered locks to make the team after making strides in training camp.
Who is safe? Which player is on the chopping block? Who can be the surprise? Let's now waste any more time.
Quarterback: (2)
Starter: C.J. Stroud
Reserve: Davis Mills
No surprises here. Mills was always the only person in competition for the No. 2 spot.
Running Back (4)
Starter: David Montgomery
Reserves: Woody Marks, British Brooks, Noah Whittington
Brooks offers upside on third down and special teams, which the Texans consider a must for depth. Whittington, you could argue, has been Houston's best undrafted player and its most consistent. Even though he missed Friday's game, the Oregon rookie has done enough.
Jawhar Jordan could be considered a favorite to stick around on the practice squad.
Wide Receiver (6)
Starters: Nico Collins, Xavier Hutchinson, Jaylin Noel
Reserves: Kayshon Boutte, Lewis Bond, Jared Wayne
Injured reserve: Tank Dell
Dell has barely practiced since the start of training camp and Ryans has made it clear that he's going to be back; the former 2023 third-round pick has to get on the field. Until then, it's best to assume he could be on the injured reserve to begin the season. It's four games to get back into practice and on the field. Given how impressive Wayne has been throughout training camp, it would make sense that he gets the last spot should Dell miss time.
Tight end (4)
Starter: Dalton Schultz
Reserves: Foster Moreau, Marlin Klein, Cade Stover
While Brevin Jordan might have a higher ceiling than Stover, he's once again been dealing with camp injuries and has missed weeks of practice with a lower-body issue. Unless the Texans are planning to move Stover to upgrade a different position, it seems like the four-man squad is set.
Offensive Linemen (9)
Starters: LT- Aireontae Ersery, LG - Keylan Rutledge, C- Evan Brown, RG - Ed Ingram, RT - Trent Brown
Reserves: Blake Fisher, Febechi Nwaiwu, Wyatt Teller, Jarrett Patterson
Injured reserve: Braden Smith
While Fisher might have been considered a trade candidate, the Texans could elect to push Smith as an injured reserve candidate since he's expected to miss the start of the season with a foot injury suffered against the Panthers in joint practice. Patterson, because of the position flexibility and the need for a ninth lineman, survives until at least Week 4.
Defensive Ends (4)
Starters: Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter
Reserves: Jadeveon Clowney, Logan Hall
Injured reserve: Dylan Horton, Ali Gaye
No major changes here. Clowney as the No. 3 defensive end should come in handy on pass-rushing sets. Solomon Byrd was impressive in the preseason finale, but he also suffered an injury. The good news with that is Houston can probably stash him away on the practice squad until at least midseason.
Sabastian Harsh made a phenomenal Friday night, but will it be enough to make the team? Probably not, but the Texans should consider him a lock for the practice squad.
Defensive Tackles (5)
Starters: Sheldon Rankins, Tommy Togiai
Reserves: Kayden McDonald, Mario Edwards Jr., Naquan Jones
The big change here is Jones' return to the active roster. While Logan Hall can play both defensive tackle and defensive end, given the need for defensive end depth, this opens up a spot on the interior.
Linebackers (6)
Starters: Azeez Al-Shaair, Henry To'oTo'o
Reserves: Jamal Hill, Wade Woodaz, Aiden Fisher, Jake Hummel
PUP list: E.J. Speed
The status of veteran Jake Hansen probably opens up a roster spot for one linebacker to make it. Hill was exceptional in the preseason finale with four tackles, a QB rush and a pass breakup, but Fisher led the team in stops with 12 tackles. Given the way both played, the duo makes it while Hansen finally closes out his time as a last man standing.
Cornerback (4)
Starters: Derek Stingley Jr., Kamari Lassiter
Reserves: Jaylin Smith, Tremon Smith
Collin Wright's injury likely puts him on the practice squad after an impressive showcase in training camp. Because of that, Tremon Smith stays alive on the active roster. Don't be surprised, however, if by midseason Wright gets promoted from the practice squad and earns playing time behind Jaylin Smith.
Nickel Defender (2)
Starter: Jalen Pitre
Reserve: Allijah Huzzie
Pitre is an All-Pro-type defender, but every position needs depth. Huzzie has performed well throughout the preseason in the slot and offers special-teams value. Those are things Houston loves in its depth options, so expect Huzzie to be locked in over Ja'Marcus Ingram or Brandon Codrington.
Safeties (4)
Starters: Calen Bullock, Reed Blankenship
Reserves: Kamari Ramsey, George Odum
Pup list: M.J. Stewart
Given that Odum looked the part on Friday night in coverage, plus his veteranship, the Texans should elect to make him the fourth safety. He offers experience in coverage and on special teams, so there's at least value on keeping him around.
Special Teams (3)
Kicker: Ka'imi Fairbairn
Punter: Kai Kroeger
Long Snapper: Austin Brinkman
Literally no surprises.
Practice Squad (12)
- QB Brett Rypien
- RB Jawhar Jordan
- WR Daniel Sobkowicz
- TE Lane Pryor
- OT Sam Hagen
- OL James Neal III
- DL Sabastian Harsh
- DE Solomon Byrd
- DL Kyonte Hamilton
- LB Caleb Johnson
- CB Collin Wright
- DB Ja'Marcus Ingram
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Final Texans' 53-man roster predictions: Two veteran OL done?
