The Texans remain uninterested in noteworthy trades.
Texans interim coach Romeo Crennel remains adamant he’s not interested in any trades that don’t carry appropriate value.
Heading into a Tuesday afternoon NFL trade deadline, Crennel reiterated that stance as the Texans continue to conduct conversations with other teams.
The Texans’ wide receivers, including former first-round draft pick Will Fuller, have drawn interest. However, the Texans haven’t regarded any offer as worthwhile so far.
The Texans finalized a trade Monday that sent reserve defensive tackle Eli Ankou to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a 2022 seventh-round draft pick. The deal was agreed to in principle Friday.
“We will trade, but I’m not trading for peanuts,” Crennel said. “If they want to make a substantial offer, then we will consider it.”
Ankou is a former undrafted free agent who originally was signed by the Texans out of UCLA. He recently was claimed off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts.
He has 26 career tackles, two tackles for losses and 1½ sacks in 20 games.
Texans chairman and chief operating officer Cal McNair, in a taped radio interview that aired Monday morning with the team flagship station, KILT 610, downplayed the likelihood of any major moves for the 1-6 AFC South franchise.
“No big moves,” McNair said. “We like our players. We like our team. We have a lot of season left, a lot to play for. I am extremely optimistic.
“I don’t believe in giving up. We won’t. This story on this season isn’t written yet. We want to give our guys a chance.”
Warring and Moore designated for return
The Texans designated tight end Kahale Warring and safety A. J. Moore for return from injured reserve, starting their 21-day practice window Monday.
If Warring and Moore aren’t placed on the active roster within the next three weeks, they will stay on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.
A former third-round draft pick from San Diego State who spent his entire rookie season last year on injured reserve with a concussion, Warring had a hamstring injury during training camp that sidelined him for several practices.
Moore strained his left hamstring against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Texans had been leaning on the former undrafted free agent as their third safety, and Moore provided range and speed.
Meanwhile, cornerback Bradley Roby and tight end Jordan Akins returned to practice Monday.
Roby is experiencing relatively minor inflammation of his knee and ankle, which forced him out of a game against the Packers after three plays.
Akins missed the past three games primarily because of a high ankle sprain he suffered against the Minnesota Vikings when he also sustained a concussion.
No more positives after Scharping’s test
The Texans are in the NFL’s intensive COVID-19 protocol, a precautionary measure after offensive guard Max Scharping tested positive last week.
No other players or staff have tested positive, according to Romeo Crennel. Scharping is on the reserve-COVID-19 list. He is the first Texans player to test positive since the team reported to training camp. Several players tested positive before camp.
NFL precautions include wearing face shields on helmets and other personal protective equipment at practice, daily point- of- care testing and virtual meetings.
The Texans conducted a deep clean of their training facility, which was upgraded over the summer.
“The NFL has put us through an intense protocol,” Crennel said. “The guys will be wearing face shields on their helmets at practice to try to minimize any contact or any spread that way. We’re taking all the precautions that we’re supposed to take to try to minimize any potential spread.
“Over the week, we had 900 negatives that came up, and there are no positives. We’re trying to do the right thing, and I think our players are doing the right thing, for the most part.”
Luton gets first start with Minshew hurt
The Texans’ defense will face rookie quarterback Jake Luton on Sunday.
Jaguars coach Doug Marrone announced starter Gardner Minshew is out with a thumb injury. Minshew has a fractured thumb and strained ligaments.
The Jaguars opted to go with Luton instead of veteran Mike Glennon.
A sixth-round draft pick, Luton passed for 28 touchdowns with three interceptions at Oregon State last season. Luton is a classic pocket passer at 6-foot-6, 224 pounds.
Minshew has passed for 1,855 yards, 13 touchdowns and five interceptions with three lost fumbles.
“We might as well look,” Marrone told Jacksonville reporters. “We might as well see what we have. Go ahead and play him, and let’s go.”