Roby back from COVID list; linemen’s status unclear
Texans coach David Culley said Tuesday that it remains uncertain whether offensive linemen Tytus Howard and Roderick Johnson will be activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list in time for the team’s second preseason game Saturday against the Cowboys .
“Not really sure yet,” Culley said. “We’ll know more tomorrow.”
Howard is a swing tackle who’s been working at guard in training camp, and it’s possible he could start at left guard during the regular season.
The Texans had to dig into their offensive-line depth when Howard, Johnson and starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil were added to the COVID list Friday.
Culley said Monday that Tunsil will not play against the Cowboys after testing positive.
Texans cornerback Bradley Roby returned to practice Monday, activated after spending last week on the COVID list.
The Texans have declined to say if the team has reached the NFL-mandated 85 percent for player vaccinations.
“I’m not going to get into the percentage,” GM Nick Caserio said when camp opened on July 28. “We’ve made progress from the spring relative to where we are now. We’re on track. I think we’re in a decent position. Our players have done a good job of responding.
“It’s not about picking sides.
It’s about educating the players. It’s about providing them with information and resources. The reality is COVID is with us. All of us have to maintain vigilance and be smart about how we’re handling everything.”
Caserio utilizes roster loophole
The Texans moved running back Dontrell Hilliard to the reserve/non-football injury list Tuesday, a day after the team initially waived him with an injury designation. Hilliard does not count toward Houston’s roster limit, which was reduced to 85 players in accordance with the NFL’s first scheduled league-wide cut of training camp.
The Texans signed Darius Jackson last week when Hilliard began missing practices with the injury.
Caserio made three roster moves Monday, which, including Hilliard’s designation, involved cutting wide receiver Isaiah Coulter and trading cornerback Keion Crossen to the New York Giants for a 2023 sixth-round pick.
Houston’s roster technically remained at 87 players by Tuesday’s 3 p.m. deadline, but Caserio utilized a notable loophole: Players on the reserve/COVID-19 list don’t count toward the roster limitations. With Tunsil, Howard and Johnson all on the team’s reserve/COVID-19 list, Caserio wouldn’t have to make a roster move until two of those players are activated.
TE Akins returns after missing game
Texans starting tight end Jordan Akins returned to practice Tuesday, his first action since missing most of last week’s practices and not playing in the team’s first preseason game against Green Bay.
Akins practiced in full pads for the majority of practice, then spent the remainder working with a trainer on a separate field.
Starting linebacker Zach Cunningham did not practice, his first absence since traveling with
the team to Green Bay on Saturday.
Defensive end Jonathan Green, who had a sack and forced fumble against the Packers, missed his second practice after suffering an ankle sprain in the game.
Reserve offensive lineman Cole Toner worked with trainers on a separate field. The four-year veteran signed a one-year deal with the Texans and did not play at Green Bay.
Return specialist Andre Roberts missed his fifth practice and did not play against the Packers. Culley has said the 33-year-old
Roberts is a player who will take “veteran days,” which is essentially an excused absence for established players.
Receiver Anthony Miller, who primarily plays inside, did not practice again after suffering a shoulder dislocation against Green Bay. The injury doesn’t require surgery, and Miller will have rest and rehabilitation with a prognosis of returning early in the season, possibly for the season opener Sept. 12 against Jacksonville at NRG Stadium.