Texans morning huddle: Game observations, Savage hurt
By Randy Gurzi
Today is the day that the original 53-man roster will be submitted for the Houston Texans. We have already seen some names, some big ones at that, get released and now we are left to wonder who will get a pink slip today.
While we have all watched the waiver wire, there may be some news you have missed, such as some observations from the preseason finale, as well as the status of the third-string quarterback who left the game injured.
16 Observations: Texans at Cowboys – by John Harris of Houston Texans.com
"The goal of every pre-season game is come out of it healthy, see a few guys make some impact plays and win. The Texans may have missed out on two of the three, because they lost, and QB Tom Savage left the game with an upper body injury. There were some impact players but not as many as the team had in New Orleans on Sunday. Two out of three typically isn’t bad, but in this case it was. Here are my observations from the final pre-season game of the 2015 season.1. DT Christian Covington is one of this team’s more disruptive defensive players. He has more than proven along the way that he’s going to impact this defense in some way, shape or form. He has consistently flashed along the line of scrimmage, darted into the backfield often and made tackles throughout all four games, but especially tonight. One of his tackles was a key stop of Cowboys RB Gus Johnson on fourth down in the first half. I figured he would make the roster, even being a late day three draft pick, but he’s shined from the day he showed up in May through tonight’s loss.2. CB Charles James II was in position all night in coverage, but just missed knocking away a number of throws his way. The toughest one was in the fourth quarter when he blanketed WR Clyde Gates on a shallow crosser and nearly knocked it away on third down. He had an opportunity tonight to cement a position on this 53-man roster but gave up catches that he hadn’t in training camp to this point.3. Bill O’Brien said on Tuesday’s Hard Knocks episode that he “didn’t know who the backup offensive line was going to be.” He may still not know after this evening. The Texans struggled to get anything going in the run game throughout. They ran power in the third quarter a few times to get Kenny Hilliard loose but it was rough sledding against the Cowboys 4-3 defense. The Texans went with the same quintet the entire game that I recall, including recently acquired Chris Clark at left tackle for the whole game."
Report: Texans QB Tom Savage (shoulder) could be out 4-6 weeks – by SI Wire
"Houston Texans third string quarterback Tom Savage could miss four to six weeks after leaving Thursday’s preseason game against the Cowboys with an injured shoulder, reports the Houston Chronicle.Savage was told on Friday that he would not need surgery, although the severe sprain could keep him sidelined well into the regular season.After Cowboys defensive tackle Davon Coleman knocked the quarterback to the ground, Savage left the game with seven minutes and 15 seconds left to play. Ryan Mallett was sent into the game to replace him."
Charles James makes latest Texans roster projection – by Tania Ganguli of ESPN
"The Houston Texans finished the preseason with a loss to the Dallas Cowboys, their final chance to audition players for their 53-man roster. Texans coach Bill O’Brien and general manager Rick Smith had already begun their discussions about how to set the roster before Thursday night. The game likely helped focus their decisions. O’Brien said it is possible for one preseason game to change his opinion about a story.With roster cuts happening today and tomorrow, here is a projection of what the Texans’ 53-man roster will look like Saturday night.Quarterbacks (3)Brian HoyerRyan MallettTom SavageIf Savage’s shoulder injury turns out to be serious enough to land him on injured reserve, then the Texans will keep only two quarterbacks, as many teams do. It will save a roster spot the Texans can use elsewhere. Savage isn’t likely to get much playing time barring an injury this year. He’ll sit behind Hoyer, the starter, and Mallett, his backup.Running backs/fullbacks (5)Arian FosterAlfred BlueJonathan GrimesChris PolkJay ProschPolk and seventh-round pick Kenny Hilliard took all the carries for the Texans in their fourth preseason game. Hilliard had 42 yards on 18 carries. Polk had 24 yards on 10 carries. They each caught four passes; Polk for 37 yards and Hilliard for 16. Blue and Grimes got the night off and Foster is, of course, rehabbing from groin surgery. Foster’s brother posted a photo during the game of Foster rehabbing. I can see Hilliard winding up on the practice squad after his release."