Which Texans could make cut
Rookie safety likely to begin season behind Jackson
Texans rookie safety Justin Reid broke crisply on the sailing football, an errant pass from Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush.
The Texans’ top draft pick, the younger brother of former San Francisco 49ers Pro Bowl safety Eric Reid, jumped the throw to secure his first NFL interception Thursday night during a 14-6 victory in a preseason finale at NRG Stadium.
“It felt incredible,” Justin Reid said. “I’ve been waiting on it, it felt so good to finally get my hands on an NFL ball. It’s an unbelievable feeling to finally get the first one and now I’m looking forward to the first one that counts.”
Although Reid didn’t do enough this preseason to unseat veteran safety Kareem Jackson for the starting job, the third-round pick has displayed plenty of potential.
Reid made a strong case that he is deserving of playing time behind Jackson and former Arizona Cardinals All-Pro safety Tyrann Mathieu. During the Texans’ preseason game against the 49ers two weeks ago, Reid delivered some punishing hits and led the team with six tackles.
“Good play,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “Justin has done a
good job for a rookie. He’s a smart guy, works hard. It’s all about improvement and I think he’s improved. He’s made a lot of good steps. He needs to continue in that direction.”
Signed to a four-year, $4.063 million contract, Reid dealt with some nervousness during his preseason debut against the Kansas City Chiefs and missed a tackle.
“I’m in a contributing role right now, and I’m willing to do anything I can to help the team win,” Reid said. “It’s a great feeling. It builds a lot of confidence going into the regular season and getting ready to go to Foxborough (home of the New England Patriots).”
A former all-state selection in Louisiana, Reid was an All-Pac-12 selection last year who recorded 99 tackles, 6½ for losses with five interceptions. Reid made progress throughout the preseason. He is a big, fast, physical safety at 6-1, 205 pounds.
“Consistently improving,” Reid said. “It started off slow in Kansas City and it steadily got better and better. That’s what the goal is. The best is far away yet to come.” Lechler vs. Daniel
One of the more intriguing battles and pending roster decisions rests between veteran punter Shane Lechler and rookie Travis Daniel.
Lechler is a seven-time Pro Bowl selection who averaged 42.4 yards on his five punts. That included a 61-yard boot.
If Lechler doesn’t beat out Daniel, he has no intentions of retiring.
“I’ve invested a lot of time,” said Lechler, a former Texas A&M standout from East Barnard. “If I was going to retire, I would have done it before the end of offseason workouts. I’m dug in. I’m going to play as long as I can. I still have something left in the tank.
“I know one thing: I fought hard every day. I have no regrets. There’s some crappy punts I’ve had I wish I could reel in and get a mulligan for, but that’s part of the game.”
An undrafted rookie from the University of Tennessee, Daniel has a booming leg and averaged 40.8 yards on four punts. He had a long punt of 50 yards. Daniel was disappointed with his performance.
“Up until tonight, I felt pretty good,” Daniel said. “It is what it is and we’ll see what happens. It’s like competing with the very best. You’ve got to be your best every single day.”
Added O’Brien: “Both guys had good preseasons. Both guys have done really well. Shane Lechler, in my opinion, is a Hall of Fame punter. He’s a guy who’s meant a lot to us. He really has competed at a high level, and Trevor is a good young punter.”
The Texans are facing a Saturday afternoon NFL deadline to cut their roster to 53 players.
As is the tradition in the fourth and final preseason game, several players boosted their cause and others inflicted damage to their prospects.
Versatile third quarterback Joe Webb reinforced why he is worthy of a Texans’ roster spot.
Webb replaced backup Brandon Weeden and completed 11 of 18 passes for 136 yards and an 84.5 passer rating. Webb delivered a strike in traffic to wide receiver Braxton Miller for a 22-yard completion and also connected with Jasper Weah for a 25-yarder. Webb, who doubles as a specialteams contributor who can play receiver in a pinch, also rushed for 28 yards on five carries.
“Joe’s done a good job,” O’Brien said. “Joe’s a fun guy to coach. Works hard, great guy, good teammate, really sits in here for special-teams meetings then has to get caught up on quarterback meetings since the day he got here. Joe’s a guy who has done a really good job. He’s had a good preseason. He’s gotten better every time he’s been out there in all phases. He’s been good to have here.”
And reserve cornerback Dee Virgin, vying for one of the last spots on the roster and facing something of an uphill climb following the acquisition of veteran cornerback Kayvon Webster this week, intercepted Rush during the final play of the first half. Virgin also had a big hit on an openfield tackle earlier in the half. Virgin had a game-high eight tackles and two passes defended.
Reserve outside linebacker Ufomba Kamalu, another player on the edge of the Texans’ roster bubble, forced a fumble on a sack of Rush that was recovered by Darius Kilgo.
Tough outing for Lamm
As encouraging as those performances were, backup offensive tackle Kendall Lamm struggled mightily.
One week after starting in place of Seantrel Henderson against the Los Angeles Rams when the starting right tackle underwent surgery to remove a noncancerous cyst and being prone to holding calls and allowing pressure, Lamm had another rough game.
Lamm committed a pair of false-start penalties. He also allowed a sack when he was beaten badly by Cowboys defensive lineman Jihad Ward.
Not all of the reserve linemen fared badly.
Chad Slade and David Quessenberry threw some big blocks to create enough space for backup running back Alfred Blue to get in the end zone on a 4-yard touchdown run in the first half.
Undrafted rookie running back Terry Swanson, competing for a spot on the practice squad, rushed for 69 yards on 16 carries. That included a 37-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter for the Texans’ final score.
“That’s a dream come true, to score your first NFL touchdown,” Swanson said. “I saw the crease and was able to hit and I don’t get caught. The Houston Texans are a great organization. It was an amazing feeling. I wanted to have an opportunity to show what I can do. It’s not my decision, but I believe I played well.
“I’m an every-down back, a guy who can run between the tackles, outside, catch a little bit. This is what I wanted to put on film. The odds are against you being an undrafted free agent. To have something like that happen, it puts you at better odds.”
Running back Troymaine Pope needed to keep making impactful plays, as he did earlier in the preseason. He had a solid game, though, rushing for 21 yards on five carries.
A converted quarterback who led the Texans statistically among the receivers, Miller caught both passes thrown to him for 28 yards.
Miller had an acrobatic touchdown catch against the Rams a week ago, jumping over two defenders.
Now, the Texans have to get down to 53 players. They’ll cut or place 35 players on reserve lists over the next two days.
“That’s the worst part of being a coach,” O’Brien said. “It’s much tougher on the players. Those guys really put a lot of effort into it for you. There’s a lot of decisions to be made, but it is tough.”