Who’s here, who’s not, and who should be at NRG
Houston may possess one of the youngest cores in the league, but they are fortified by long-toothed veterans across the roster.
The Texans are officially in voluntary OTA practices and the initial news and notes flowing out of practice indicate that several veterans are not present for the first team practices of the year. Namely offensive line starters Laremy Tunsil, Shaq Mason, and Tytus Howard are not there. Tunsil is renown for doing his own thing in the offseason and is not a surprise, but Howard’s absence is due to his lingering leg injury. He is hoping to be healthy by preseason.
New WR Stefon Diggs also was not in attendance, but given the diva mentality and the fact that we already saw Diggs practicing with Stroud this offseason on social media, I’m not as concerned here. Diggs is the type that only needs to show up on Sundays, the QB tells him what the route is, and then let him go do his thing.
Additionally, defensive free agent additions Danielle Hunter and Denico Autry were absent from practice. Both are trusted veterans in fairly secure roles who will be ready to roll come the season. It is believed both have been in the facility plenty this offseason, but will not participate in the voluntary portion of the offseason.
I’ve also heard that re-signed WR Noah Brown wasn’t seen at practice today. His absence let second-year WRs Tank Dell and Xavier Hutchinson shine as they come off productive rookie seasons.
So, who benefits from all the veterans not in attendance? For starters, depth pieces across the offensive line. Tackles David Sharpe and Charlie Heck accumulated reps in Tunsil’s stead. Rookie second rounder Blake Fisher starting at right tackle in practice is valuable experience. Plus, Kenyon Green appears in good shape!
Without defensive lineman Hunter or Autry present, Dylan Horton finishing up cancer recovery, and veteran Derek Barnett needing little OTA reps, rookie defensive end Solomon Byrd will have a fantastic opportunity to get valuable face-time with the coaches and reps with possibly the starting team.
OTAs do little to benefit the interior defensive line, so we’ll still need to wait several months to see how the DTs sort themselves out.
Notable veterans present are RB Joe Mixon, S Jimmie Ward, DE Derek Barnett, and WR Robert Woods. Woods’ presence at the camp is fantastic as he competes to make the roster. Woods’ contract may be the biggest weight against him, but we’ll see if he makes it into June without getting cut.
