Ryans, Stroud get to work as camp opens
Training camp has finally arrived. The Texans’ players reported to training camp Tuesday where they got physicals performed and prepared for Wednesday’s practices.
Five players will begin camp on the physically unable to perform list, and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, who
Big offseason moves
• A few weeks after the Texans fired Lovie Smith, they hired former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans to lead the team. Ryans, who signed a six-year deal with the franchise, is the sixth head coach in franchise history.
• The Texans drafted quarterback C.J. Stroud and defensive end Will Anderson Jr. with the No. 2 and No. 3 picks respectively. Stroud was the first quarterback the team has drafted in the first round since 2017 when the team took Deshaun Watson. The Texans traded their 2024 first-round pick, 2024 third-round pick, and their No. 12 pick and No. 33 pick for Anderson and pick No. 105.
Position battles to watch
The five biggest position battles to watch include middle linebacker, defensive end, wide receiver, quarterback and center. The Texans signed middle linebacker Denzel Perryman to compete with Christian Kirksey.
They also drafted Stroud, Anderson, and center Juice Scruggs, who will all compete for starting spots at their respective positions.
The biggest question mark is who will emerge at wide receiver. The Texans don’t have a bona fide No. 1 wide receiver. With Nico Collins entering Year 3, and the additions of Robert Woods and Noah Brown, someone will have to step up.
Key questions
Who is QB1?: C.J. Stroud and Davis Mills will likely split first-team reps throughout camp as they battle for the starting position.
But with Stroud being drafted No. 2, and Mills’ past struggles signed with Houston this offseason, was placed on the non-football illness list.
This year, the Texans will hold 20 practices, including eight that will be free and available to the public via the team’s ticketmaster site. Free tickets can be secured at
www.houstontexans.com/fans/training-camp or on ticketmaster.com.
Here is a training camp guide with everything you need to know:
with the Texans, it is Stroud’s job to lose. The Texans invested the No. 2 pick in Stroud and he’s expected to emerge as the starter. Stroud, whose teammates have spoke highly of, is the future of the franchise. He played well in OTA’s and minicamp, which should carry over in camp. He held a throwing session in California two weeks ago with the receivers and tight ends.
Can defense stop the run?:
The Texans were ranked dead last in the league in stopping the run, allowing 2,894 yards rushing in 17 games. It was the sixth-most rushing yards allowed in NFL history. Ryans’ top priority was to fix the defensive and offensive lines, and he pretty much did that. They signed Rankins, drafted Anderson and made other moves. But Sheldon Rankins, one of their biggest signings will begin training camp on the non-football illness list.
How quickly can DeMeco Ryans turn around the Texans?:
Many sports betting sites have the Texans among the bottom teams in the league in 2023. But unlike the previous two coaches, it seems that the ownership group is exercising faith in Ryans and will be patient with him. Ryans helped make the 49ers the No. 1 defense in the league in 2022 after only two years as the defensive coordinator. He’s expected to call plays this year. Can he do it with the Texans?
Proving grounds
Five returning players with the most to prove
TE Brevin Jordan
LB Christian Kirksey
CB Steven Nelson
CB Derek Stingley Jr.
WR Nico Collins