Houston Texans Daily Roundup: Regular season week is here
The Houston Texans are one week away from beginning the 2018 regular season, and getting to that point means everything must be taking shape for the franchise in all facets of the game.
Roster cuts have been made and players are joining the practice squad, meaning the Houston Texans and the rest of the NFL are gearing up for the start of the 2018 regular season. For Houston, this is a season of redemption after last season’s disaster at 4-12.
The Texas are primed to get back to the top of the AFC South, but it won’t be easy as the Indianapolis Colts have Andrew Luck back after missing all last season, the Jacksonville Jaguars have one of the best defenses in the NFL and the Tennessee Titans have a formidable team as well.
Speaking of Week 1, T.A. Mock of House of Houston wrote about the Texans and five ways they can improve their roster before Week 1 when they face the New England Patriots. Mock wrote about possibly bringing back former Texans player John Simon:
"“The Texans should absolutely look into bringing Simon back. He adds versatility and depth at the outside linebacker position. He can also fill in in pinch at inside linebacker.”"
This is interesting and something I didn’t think much about until now. Currently, outside linebackers on the Texans roster include Zach Cunningham, Dylan Cole, Jadeveon Clowney, Brennan Scarlett and Duke Ejiofor. Maybe Simon would work somewhere within this current roster of players, as he was released by the Indianapolis Colts. This scenario is worth looking into if it can make the team better.
• As expected running back, D’Onta Foreman will start the season on the PUP list as he’s battled injuries all preseason. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle wrote about the roster transaction and what it means for the Texans:
"“Texans running back D’Onta Foreman remained on the physically unable to perform list to start the regular season. Foreman will miss at least the first six games.”"
Missing the first six games will affect the Texans in some way this season, there is no doubt about that. With Foreman’s injury, that means Alfred Blue will be the next running back in line behind Lamar Miller on the depth chart.
Also at running back for Houston are Tyler Ervin and Troymaine Pope, who both survived roster cuts when they were on the bubble when cuts occurred. The Texans are seemingly not taking any chances at their running back depth this season and are making sure they have enough bodies in place if more injuries occur.
• Lou Bezjak of TheState.com wrote a local article for Vincent Smith, a native of South Carolina, about him making the 53-man roster of the Texans as a wide receiver. Bezjak wrote of Smith in the article:
"“The 6-foot-3 Smith joins other SC natives on the roster including DeAndre Hopkins, Jadeveon Clowney Bruce Ellington and Jonathan Joseph. Former Clemson standouts Deshaun Watson, DJ Reader and Carlos Watkins also are in the team.”"
This is kind of cool in a way, especially if you are from South Carolina. With eight players on the Texans roster with ties to South Carolina, that could make the Texans a second-choice — or even top-choice — team for folks who reside in that start, probably just behind the Carolina Panthers. Maybe more Texans gear will be showing up in that state this season.
• Tweet of the Day
Here is the initial 53-man roster of the Texans in one tweet:
This part of the season is so exciting, but it makes the start of the season not get here fast enough. With the season one week away, there is still a lot to get finished for NFL teams and the Texans, but until then it is just exciting to watch everything take form and to think about what eventually could take place this season.