Kickers Tavecchio, Rose audition for team
The Texans auditioned veteran kickers Giorgio Tavecchio and Nick Rose on Wednesday morning, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.
Both kickers performed well. Tavecchio is under consideration to be signed, according to sources.
The Texans are contemplating whether to sign a kicker on a short-term basis with regular kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn sidelined with a minor injury that may cause him to miss the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers.
A former Lou Groza Award winner from UCLA, Fairbairn connected on 20 of 25 field goals last season for the Texans.
A native of Milan, Italy, Tavecchio made 16 of 21 field goals for the Oakland Raiders last season. He kicked for Texans special teams coach Brad Seely.
A former University of Texas standout from Dallas, Rose has kicked for the Chargers and Washington. He has made 11 of 14 career field goals.
Garoppolo looks sharp at practice
When the New England Patriots traded quarterback Jimmy
Garoppolo to the 49ers, it transformed the NFC West franchise.
Garoppolo was signed to a five-year, $137.5 million contract that included $90 million guaranteed.
In six games and five starts, he completed 67.4 percent of his throws for 1,560 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions for a 96.2 passer rating.
That included passing for 334 yards, one touchdown and one interception in a 26-16 win over the Texans. Garoppolo was as advertised during a joint practice session with the Texans on Wednesday.
That included a final-play touchdown pass to Pierre Garcon as the wide receiver tapped both feet in for the score. “Good player,” Texans coach
Bill O’Brien said. “Really quick release, good leader. I was mostly over on our offensive field, but accurate guy, really good guy, good person.
“It’s what you’re looking for at that position, just guys that are easy to coach, that want to be coached, that are obviously good players. It makes it a lot of fun to coach that position.” Texans quarterback Deshaun
Watson has met Garoppolo a few times.
Both are among the top young quarterbacks in the game.
“He’s a great professional quarterback,” Watson said. “He’s a quarterback for a great organization, for the great coach, Kyle ( Shanahan), and being able to be successful like he’s doing, is great.”
OT Henderson gets back on field
Texans offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson returned to practice Wednesday, one day after being limited to conditioning work.
Coach Bill O’Brien had previously downplayed the severity of the injury. Linebacker Jadeveon Clowney remained limited in his practice reps. He underwent arthroscopic knee surgery after last season and pulled out of the Pro Bwol.
“He’s fine,” O’Brien said. “He’ll be fine.” Outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus (hamstring), wide receiver Keke Coutee (hamstring) and wide receiver Chris Thompson (concussion) didn’t practice again.
Coates making good impression
The Texans have seen a steadiness and physicality from former Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Sammie Coates.
Claimed off waivers from the Browns for a $705,000 base salary, the Texans obtained an athletic 6-1, 212-pound wide receiver with 28 career receptions for 518 yards and two touchdowns.
Coates started the preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs and caught one pass.
He beat 49ers rookie cornerback Tarvarius Moore for a 40-yard reception on Wednesday. The former Auburn standout and Steelers third-round draft pick excels on special teams.
“Sammie’s been a guy that practices every day,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “He’s been out there, he works hard. I think he really understands his role that he’s trying to fulfill for us, special teams role and an outside wide receiver role. He’s really done a good job of really coming to work every day to try to do the best he can to fulfill that role.”
Ex-Rice standout makes full recovery
The healthy return of defensive lineman Christian Covington from a torn biceps has provided a boost to the Texans’ defense.
The former Rice standout and All-Conference USA selection has improved every year since being drafted in the sixth round.
Covington started two of the first seven games before he hurt his arm against the Seattle Seahawks. He finished the season with 16 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble.
“I feel great,” Covington said. “That’s been my mentality ever since the injury happened, just try to work my way back onto the field and do whatever I can to help this team get some wins. The fact I’m already out there feeling good, we’re putting the work in, I’m excited. It’s been a good year.”
Mathieu grabs an interception
Texans safety Tyrann Mathieu intercepted San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo during practice.
Mathieu has a history of success against the 49ers.
He has three career interceptions against them.