Latest news with #HoustonTexans
USA Today
3 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
45 days until the Texans' 2025 season opener: Who has worn No.45?
The Houston Texans are less than 50 days away from kicking off the 2025 season in Los Angeles against the Rams at SoFi Stadium and we're counting down the days until a victory ensues on the west coast. Texans Wire will daily tell you which player has worn the number of the day leading up to kickoff and pick the player who ensured the number best during their time at NRG Stadium. As for today, let's take a look at who has worn No. 45 since the inaugural season in 2002. Texans players to wear No. 45 No. 45 currently belongs to new linebacker E.J. Speed. Once an enemy as a member of the Indianapolis Colts, Speed signed a one-year contract this offseason to compete for reps opposite Azeez Al-Shaair in DeMeco Ryans' starting defense. He'll have his chance to impress during training camp after back-to-back solid seasons playing in the AFC South. In his second full season as a starter, the 6-foot-4 Tarelton State backer finished with 142 tackles (12th in the NFL), seven tackles for losses and five pass deflections. His 93 solo stops were tied for third-most in the league. Speed also has six forced fumbles and has been a reliable name to know on special teams. Since Ossai has yet to even take a snap in the preseason, let alone in training camp, he can't be the G.O.A.T. of No. 45. Much like No. 49, 47 and 46, it's hard to say there's one player who has earned the title, especially since the options are few and far between. Best Player: Jay Prosch Amid a run toward the postseason under Bill O'Brien, Prosch was the "yes, sir" player. You needed a name to fill in on punts? Yes sir. You needed an extra red zone blocker? Yes sir. You wanted another guy to factor in on fourth-down calls? Call Prosch. He's ready to go. In three seasons, Prosch played over 800 snaps, totaling 13 starts and an average of 11.3 yards per game. Yes, it seems like nothing, but the role of a fullback often goes unnoticed in the grand scheme of things. That won't be the case here with Prosch taking a slight lean over everyone else.
USA Today
17 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
5 standout players in Day 1 of Patriots training camp
The New England Patriots stepped on the field for their first training camp practice of the summer on Wednesday. There were a couple of competitive team periods, but this was a lighter practice with the team working in helmets and shorts. Drills were the primary focus in this setting. There are high expectations for the Patriots this year, despite the team finishing last season with a 4-13 record. Coach Mike Vrabel brought in a more experienced coaching staff and made significant upgrades on offense and defense throughout the offseason. This was the first opportunity for fans to see the new-look Patriots in person, and it wasn't a practice that disappointed. Multiple players on the roster boosted their stock a little higher after Day 1 of training camp. Here are the five standout players from the first practice: DL Keion White Patriots edge rusher Keion White has plenty of untapped potential as a defensive player. Perhaps this will be his breakout year with many of the improvements along the defensive front. He flashed his disruptive abilities at Wednesday's practice by plowing through rookie left tackle Will Campbell on a play for a would-be sack on Drake Maye. QB Drake Maye Drake Maye looked sharp during the 11-on-11 period at Wednesday's practice, completing 8-of-9 of his passes against the defense. It was promising to see him link up with newcomers Stefon Diggs and Kyle Williams a couple of times in practice. The growing chemistry he develops with his new receiving weapons could be key in the offense finding a pulse for the first time in three years. CB DJ James DJ James getting the first interception at training camp wasn't on anyone's Bingo card. The second-year cornerback undercut a poorly thrown ball by veteran quarterback Josh Dobbs and came up with the takeaway. It was a heads-up play that resulted in the only forced turnover for the defense in the practice. WR Kyle Williams Patriots rookie wide receiver Kyle Williams worked in with the first-team offense and made a couple of nice grabs during practice. One play in particular was a comeback route with All-Pro cornerback Christian Gonzalez in coverage. It was an impressive showing for a young player who will likely see many more balls thrown in his direction throughout training camp. WR Stefon Diggs It didn't take long for Stefon Diggs and Drake Maye to get on the same page. Maye found the four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver on a short crosser for his first completion in training camp. Diggs came away with two receptions during the practice. It was impressive that he was even on the field in the first place after tearing his ACL last October with the Houston Texans. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
USA Today
18 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
46 days until the Texans' 2025 season opener: Who has worn No.46?
The Houston Texans are less than 50 days away from kicking off the 2025 season in Los Angeles against the Rams at SoFi Stadium and we're counting down the days until a victory ensues on the west coast. Texans Wire will each day tell you which player has worn the number of the day leading up to kickoff and pick the player who ensured the number best during their time at NRG Stadium. As for today, let's take a look at who has worn No. 46 since the inaugural season in 2002. Texans players to wear No. 46 No. 46 currently belongs to undrafted free agent linebacker Jackson Woodard. During his time at Arkansas and UNLV, Woodard started over 30 games and recorded 116 tackles with nine being for a loss, two and a half sacks, four pass deflections, and an interception in 2023 with the Rebels. The following year, he'd be named the Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Since Woodard is an undrafted free agent and has yet to take a snap, he can't be the G.O.A.T. of No. 46. Frankly, there's only one answer and his number might eventually be displayed in the rafters as one of the greatest players in franchise history. Best Player: Jon Weeks Not only is Weeks the only player to wear the number in franchise history, he's also the longest-tenured Texan. After bouncing around the league for three seasons, the former Baylor product became the longtime option for the Texans on punts, PATs and more. After 14 years, the Texans chose to go in a different direction. It was a shocking move on both sides, but Weeks will close out his career playing for the San Francisco 49ers, hopefully helping the NFC West franchise claim a title. As for the Texans, general manager Nick Caserio hopes that Weeks will forever be remembered for his efforts during his tenure as the longest Texan. "Hopefully Jon's number will be in the rafters here when he retires from football," Caserio said on Wednesday. "Meant a lot to this organization. Made a significant impact in the community. "Hold him in the highest regard. He meant a lot to me personally in the time we were together. Wishing him and his family nothing but success. Always going to be a part of the Texans organization. I think that's a good example of only thing that's consistent in this league is change. "We wish him and his family well and embrace him with open arms when he comes back to the Texans."
USA Today
19 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
47 days until the Texans' 2025 season opener: Who has worn No.47?
The Houston Texans are less than 50 days away from kicking off the 2025 season in Los Angeles against the Rams at SoFi Stadium and we're counting down the days until a victory ensues on the west coast. Texans Wire will each day tell you which player has worn the number of the day leading up to kickoff and pick the player who ensured the number best during their time at NRG Stadium. As for today, let's take a look at who has worn No. 47 since the inaugural season in 2002. Texans players to wear No. 47 No. 47 currently belongs to undrafted rookie free agent K.C. Ossai. Entering training camp, Ossai will begin the year of the PUP list, along with names like defensive lineman Denico Autry, wide receiver Tank Dell and running back Dameon Pierce. Since Ossai has yet to even take a snap in the preseason, let alone in training camp, he can't be the G.O.A.T. of No. 47. Much like No. 49, it's hard to say there's one player who has earned the title, especially since the options are few and far between. Best Player: Jarrod Baxter He was the first player to wear the No. 47 and given how few names are on the list, he deserves some respect. He also totaled seven times for 14 yards while catching five passes for 33 yards and a touchdown in 16 games during the 2002 season. That's enough to earn the nod.
Al Arabiya
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Texans Open Camp With New Offensive Coordinator, Revamped Receiver Group
As quarterback C.J. Stroud returns to lead the Houston Texans for a third season, his offense has a much different look than it did a year ago. Top receiver Nico Collins and leading rusher Joe Mixon are back. But the Texans have a new offensive coordinator in Nick Caley after Bobby Slowik was fired, and longtime left tackle Laremy Tunsil was traded to the Commanders in the offseason. In other moves on offense, Houston traded for receiver Christian Kirk, signed receiver Justin Watson, and drafted Iowa State receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel before signing running back Nick Chubb last month. Chubb should get a lot of work early in camp, with Mixon opening camp on the non-football injury list after missing minicamp with an ankle injury. 'Every year you're looking to add more and more to your team,' coach DeMeco Ryans said Wednesday as the Texans opened camp. 'I'm excited about the receivers that we've added. The young guys Noel, Higgins also with Kirk, Watson all the guys we've added at those spots will definitely enhance our offense giving us more options for where the football can go and that will help our quarterback a lot.' The Texans needed depth at receiver after veterans Stefon Diggs and Robert Woods left in free agency and with Tank Dell out indefinitely recovering from a gruesome knee injury sustained in December. Even though it's early, Stroud has already been impressed by his rookie receivers. Higgins, who has been compared to Collins, had 87 receptions for 1183 yards and nine touchdowns last season for the Cyclones, and Noel added 80 catches for 1194 yards and eight scores. 'They've came in with a great mindset,' Stroud said. 'They are really mature guys. Guys who love to work consistently here at the building or working with me in the offseason. So I'm really excited to see those guys' growth and see them take a step forward each and every day. Not going to be perfect for them, but I think they're going to make a lot of plays.' While the Texans addressed their need at receiver, their most pressing issue is improving the offensive line after Stroud was sacked 52 times last season, which ranked second in the NFL. Though Tunsil was penalty-prone, he was Houston's most consistent lineman, and replacing him won't be easy. Second-round pick Aireontae Ersery could be Houston's left tackle of the future after starting 38 games at the position over three seasons at Minnesota. But veteran Cam Robinson will likely open the season at left tackle while Ersery adjusts to the NFL. Ryans knows everyone is concerned about the offensive line after Stroud was sacked eight times in a 23-14 loss to the Chiefs in the divisional round of the playoffs last season. 'I know I'm going to get a ton of questions about the offensive line and what it looks like,' Ryans said. 'You guys will see what it looks like when we line up across from another team and we get a chance to actually compete in live reps. Me talking to you is probably not going to convince anybody here … we'll see what it looks like man. I'm excited about the group because I know they'll be better.' Stroud is also looking to take another step after leading the Texans to the postseason in each of his first two seasons. Stroud threw for 3727 yards with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 17 games last season after winning AP Offensive Rookie of the Year in his debut when he had 4108 yards passing with 23 TD passes and just five interceptions in 15 games. He was asked what the biggest lesson he learned last year was that he believes will help him this season. 'Just trust the process,' he said. 'It's not about what people think, who people think you are, what they think you are, or when they think you should do it. It's about your process and how you're going to go about it. If God is happy, your teammates are happy, and yourself, then you're good.'
