Skipper deals with ‘whirlwind’
It was a hectic week for new Texans offensive tackle Dan Skipper.
Skipper was signed off of the Patriots’ practice squad to the Texans’ active roster last Tuesday. Five days later, he was lining up at right tackle with the firstteam offense against the Colts.
The 6-10, 325-pound former Arkansas lineman played 40 percent of the offensive plays in a 30-23 loss.
Skipper played much more than originally planned when right tackle Roderick Johnson left the game with a stinger.
“It’s been a whirlwind,” Skipper said. “Coming to a new team, you’ve got to get medical, all the procedural stuff done before you can even get to football. I really try to dig into the playbook and get things figured out as quick as possible.”
Skipper held up relatively well in his first action with the Texans, but the entire week was a lot to absorb.
Skipper was flagged for illegal formation on a 4th-and-1 against the Colts.
“Skip just got here,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “He’s a good guy, he works very hard. He’ll improve because of his work ethic. Not an easy situation to come into, but that’s pro football.
“I think that he did some decent things and there’s a lot to work on. Obviously, a lot of room for improvement. It’s a work in progress but he’s a hard-working guy, so I think he’ll work hard to improve.”
Johnson said he was unsure about his status for next week’s game against the Raiders, and rookie Tytus Howard is out with a partially torn medial collateral ligament.
So, Skipper may be pressed into even more work against the Raiders.
“You just have to bring him on, and Skipper did that,” quarterback Deshaun Watson said. “He came in with a lot of confidence. It’s tough, especially on the road against a division team. You just have to try and bring him along and that’s really all you can do. Skipper will learn, get adjusted and be good for us.”
Receiver Mitchell promoted to roster
The Texans signed wide receiver Steven Mitchell Jr. from the practice squad to the 53-man roster, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.
They cut veteran tight end Logan Paulsen.
Mitchell was cut after the preseason by the Texans, then signed to their practice squad.
Team auditions long snappers
The Texans worked out three long snappers Tuesday.
They auditioned Andrew DePaola, Wes Farnsworth and Matt Overton, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.
The Texans have a proven long snapper in Jon Weeks, who sources say will play through an ankle injury. Although hobbled, Weeks remained in the game Sunday.
The Texans also worked out former Rice and 49ers running back Austin Walter, running back Darius Jackson, wide receivers J.J. Nelson and Eli Rogers, and cornerback E.J. Gaines.
Nelson is a former Cardinals fifth-round pick who has run the 40-yard dash in 4.28 seconds
Gaines, 27, is a former Rams fourth round pick who has played for the Bills and Browns and has 198 career tackles, four interceptions and four forced fumbles.
None were immediately signed, but Jackson could figure into their plans going forward.
Edwards, Adams on practice squad
The Texans signed rookie defensive tackle Javier Edwards to the practice squad, according to a league source not authorized to speak publicly.
Edwards was cut by the Texans during the final roster cutdown.
The Texans also re-signed tight end Jerell Adams to the practice squad.
Adams has recovered from an illness that prompted the team to cut him and sign tight end Keenen Brown, who was released Saturday.
The Eagles signed rookie defensive lineman Albert Huggins off the Texans’ practice squad to their 53-man roster.